In a major crackdown on child trafficking, operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have dismantled a notorious syndicate involved in child stealing and trafficking. The operation led to the arrest of three suspects, including a fake medical doctor, and the rescue of 10 malnourished children.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, made this revelation during a press briefing on Monday at the Command headquarters in Amawbia, Awka. He described the operation as a significant victory against human trafficking, emphasizing the role of intelligence-led policing in the breakthrough.
According to CP Orutugu, police operatives acting on credible intelligence swooped in on the traffickers on Saturday at the 3-3 area of Onitsha, a bustling commercial city. The 10 children, aged between five and eight years old, were discovered in a deplorable state in an apartment in Inland Town, Onitsha.
The three arrested suspects include:
Odinakachukwu Okorie
Ifunanya Ogbonna
Daniel Ikebuilo – a fake medical doctor
The police had been monitoring Odinakachukwu Okorie after receiving a report on July 28, 2024, regarding a missing six-year-old boy in the area. The situation escalated when another report emerged on February 13, 2025, about a missing five-year-old girl.
“With enough evidence at hand, our operatives moved swiftly to arrest Odinakachukwu Okorie,” CP Orutugu stated. “His interrogation led to the exposure of Ifunanya Ogbonna, who was also deeply involved in the child theft ring.”
During questioning, the arrested suspects made shocking confessions. Ifunanya admitted that she had already sold the five-year-old girl for ₦1,000,000 to the fake doctor, Daniel Ikebuilo, who was allegedly running an underground operation linked to child trafficking.
Further investigations led the police to an apartment where eight more children were rescued, all showing signs of neglect and malnutrition.
CP Orutugu emphasized the syndicate’s plan to smuggle the five-year-old girl to Abuja, but police intervention thwarted their escape.
Following the rescue operation, the Anambra State Government, through the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, has stepped in to provide immediate custody, medical attention, and rehabilitation for the traumatized children.
“This breakthrough highlights the significance of community-police collaboration and the importance of intelligence gathering in dismantling organized crime,” CP Orutugu said.
He urged parents with missing children to visit the Anambra State Police Command headquarters for identification and possible reunification with their loved ones.
The police commissioner reassured residents of the state’s unwavering commitment to tackling human trafficking and protecting vulnerable children. He also encouraged the public to report suspicious activities, stressing that every tip could help save a life.
With the arrest of the traffickers and the rescue of their victims, the Anambra Police have dealt a significant blow to child trafficking networks, setting a precedent for tougher crackdowns on similar criminal enterprises across Nigeria.
PIONEER NEWS 