Child trafficking: Police rescue 18 malnourished children in two locations in Onitsha

By Our Correspondent

Police operatives attached to 3-3 Divisional Headquarters in Onitsha have rescued 18 malnourished children supposedly being trafficked in two locations in the commercial city of Onitsha.

Ten of the children were rescued in an apartment in Inland Town, Onitsha, while the other eight were rescued at another apartment also in Inland Town.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu on Monday visited the Divine Mercy Orphanage at Umuopku, Awka where the rescued children are currently being kept.

Briefing reporters at the police headquarters in Awka, CP Orutugu said the rescue operation followed an intelligent-led information investigation during which three persons namely, Mr Odinakachukwu Okorie, Ifunanya Ogbonna and a fake medical doctor , Mr Daniel Ikebuilo, were arrested in connection with the matter.

According to him, the Police have been monitoring one of the suspects, Odinakachukwu in the area on the receipt of a report on 28th July, 2024 about a missing six-year-old boy in the neighbourhood.

He said: “The operatives, having enough evidence, quickly arrested Odinakachukwu Okorie on the receipt of the second complaint on 13/2/2025 of a missing five- year-old girl in the same area.

“During interrogation, the suspect mentioned Ifunanya as part of the child stealing syndicate. Further revelation led to the rescue of both children earlier reported missing and the arrest of Mr Daniel Ikebuilo a fake doctor.

“Before their confession, Odinakachukwu and Ifunaya had perfected their plans to flee with the five-year-old girl to Abuja.

“Ifunanya also confessed to having sold the child for One million Naira (#1,000,000) to Mr Daniel, the fake doctor.

The CP explained that the command had sought the assistance of the Anambra State government through the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, for custody, medical attention, and care to help the children recover from the ordeal.

“This achievement highlights the importance of community-police collaboration and intelligence gathering in combating child trafficking.

“The command, therefore, calls on anyone looking for his or her child to come to Anambra State Police command for necessary action and possible reunion with their parent”, he said.