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By Sunny A. David, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a one-week-old baby girl and arrested four women for alleged child trafficking and criminal conspiracy.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the operation was conducted by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, in the early hours of Tuesday following credible intelligence.
Police officers reportedly stormed a facility known as Mama Maternity, located at Ifite-Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area, where the suspects were apprehended and the infant rescued.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Elizabeth Okafor (62), Esther Nweke (48), Ngozi Maanfa (45), and Peace Elijah Moses (25).
Preliminary investigations revealed that the group conspired to purchase the newborn baby for ₦1.7 million. The police said the suspects had already paid ₦350,000 as a down payment to the baby’s biological mother, identified as Peace Elijah Moses, who is also among those arrested.
The rescued baby has been placed under protective custody.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Gender Unit, Awka, for further investigation and prosecution of all those involved.
CP Orutugu reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding children and combating human trafficking across the state. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities that could endanger minors.
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