The Ebonyi State Police Command has rescued an 11 year old girl, Chinecherem Ngwe, who was allegedly abducted and sold to a suspected buyer for ₦4 million through a child trafficking network.
The rescue followed months of intelligence gathering and discreet investigations into the girl’s disappearance in May 2026.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed in a statement that police operatives traced the victim to Nkpor, near Onitsha in Anambra State, on October 6, 2026.
According to the police, the girl was found in the custody of a woman identified as Mrs Nneka Ibekwe, who allegedly acquired the child from the suspected trafficking network in June 2026.
Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that the transaction was facilitated by another woman, Mrs Benedicta Umeh, popularly known as “Nwanyi-Okigwe,” who allegedly claimed to operate an orphanage and have connections with social welfare officials capable of facilitating child adoptions.
Police said the alleged arrangement was presented as a legitimate adoption process, with the prospective adopter reportedly instructed to provide a church consent letter and a medical certificate of fitness.
SP Ukandu stated that Mrs Ibekwe allegedly claimed to have paid approximately ₦4 million to Umeh before the child was handed over to her. The police noted that the claims remain subject to further investigation.
The command confirmed that the rescued girl is safe, while administrative procedures are ongoing to reunite her with her biological family.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the investigating officers for their diligence and efforts in tracking the victim across state boundaries.
The commissioner assured the public that investigations would continue and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
She also warned members of the public seeking to adopt children to follow established legal procedures and use authorised child welfare channels. She urged residents to report suspicious activities involving children to the nearest police station.
The police said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable children from exploitation.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
