Eighteen stolen children have been rescued and ten suspects involved in a child-stealing and trafficking syndicate were artested by the Abia State Police Command during a coordinated operations that began after a woman from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, reported that her two children were stolen in Aba by a man who had lured her under the pretense of marriage.
This was disclosed by the Abia State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka on behalf of Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa, stating that the police acted on credible intelligence, police officers from the Ohuru Isimiri Division raided several locations in Aba between October 8 and 10, 2025. The first raid led to the arrest of five suspects including Mrs. Best Ndubusi and Charles Enyinnaya and the rescue of one infant and seven children.
Followed a detailed investigation, the police said a
subsequent operation along the Aba/Owerri Road uncovered more stolen children, leading to the arrest of suspects and the rescue of seven infants and three children. The final arrest was made on October 10, involved Brittney Oyemuwa Zion, from whom one more child was rescued.
In total, the coordinated operations resulted in the rescue of 18 children and the apprehension of ten suspects linked to the syndicate. The rescued victims are currently under the care of the Abia State Criminal Investigation Department’s Gender Section, where investigations are ongoing to identify and reunite the children with their rightful families.
Commissioner Isa reaffirmed the police command’s commitment to fighting crime and ensuring the safety of residents across Abia State. He urged parents to remain vigilant, closely monitor their children, and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station. The CP emphasized that the crackdown on child trafficking aligns with the Inspector-General of Police’s broader vision for a safer and more secure Nigeria.
