The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered a child trafficking syndicate and arrested four suspects in connection with the sale of a one-week-old baby girl for ₦1.7 million.
The arrested suspects are Elizabeth Okafor, 62; Esther Nweke, 48; Ngozi Maanfa, 45; and Peace Elijah Moses, 25.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the suspects were apprehended by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in the early hours of Tuesday, October, 28, 2025, following credible intelligence.
SP Tochukwu revealed that the arrest was made after the operatives stormed a location identified as ‘Mama Maternity’ situated at Ifite-Awkuzu, in Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
“During the raid, the operatives rescued a one-week old baby girl and arrested four female suspects in connection with a case of conspiracy and child trafficking. Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects conspired among themselves and allegedly purchased a newborn baby girl, barely a week old, for the sum of ₦1,700,000.00 (One million, seven hundred thousand Naira).
“They had reportedly paid an advance sum of ₦350,000.00 (Three hundred and fifty thousand Naira) to the purported biological mother of the child, identified as Peace Elijah Moses, who is among the arrested persons,” the statement noted.
The spokesperson disclosed that the baby girl has been safely rescued and is currently under protective care.
Similarly, the Anambra Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Gender Unit, Awka, for discreet investigation and necessary prosecution.
CP Orutugu reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of children and the ongoing fight against all forms of human trafficking in the state.
