Police dismantle trafficking syndicate, rescue 33 underage girls in Anambra

Thursday, January 8, 2026 -The Anambra State Police Command has dismantled a child trafficking syndicate operating from a compound in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state, rescuing no fewer than 33 underage girls.

The raid followed an ongoing investigation into cases of kidnapping, abduction, missing children and child trafficking.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.

Ikenga said that during the operation, three children who had been abducted in Ebonyi State on September 26, 2025, and taken to an unknown location were sighted and rescued.

He added that operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, carried out the raid on Wednesday, arresting one suspect in the process.

The statement read in part, “Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, on January 7, 2026, recorded a breakthrough in an ongoing investigation involving cases of kidnapping, abduction, missing children and child trafficking.

“The operatives arrested a female suspect, one Ifeoma Success Anthony, aged 37, and rescued 33 underage girls from a house in Awkuzu.

“This feat followed a distress report received through the Police Command Control Room from relatives of the victims, who reported that their three children—Divine Mbam (female, 14 years), Nwagu Favour (female, 15 years) and Oke Blessing (female, 18 years)—abducted since September 26, 2025, in Ebonyi State, were sighted at Emma Pigin Road, Aguleri.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the building where the girls were kept is allegedly used for child trafficking and prostitution and is owned by one Mrs Ngozi Nnanyelugo (female), aged 45 years, who is currently at large.

“Efforts are ongoing to arrest the principal suspect, while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the crime and identify other accomplices. Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

Ikenga reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, particularly vulnerable children, and urged members of the public to continue providing useful information to assist ongoing investigations.