The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered what it described as a suspected child trafficking network with the arrest of three women allegedly linked to the sale of a four-year-old boy for N2 million, in a fresh crackdown on human trafficking in the state.
The suspects, identified as Florence Nnakuzie, 45, Hannah Ugah, 52, and Chinasa Daniel, 27, were apprehended by operatives attached to the Awada Divisional Headquarters during an operation at a motor park in Onitsha on Saturday evening.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are members of a syndicate allegedly involved in trafficking children and selling them to buyers for varying sums.
Ikenga disclosed that investigations revealed Chinasa Daniel allegedly brought two children, a two week old baby and a four year old boy, on separate occasions between June and December 2025 and handed them over to Hannah Ugah.
He added that the four year old child was subsequently handed over to Florence Nnakuzie and allegedly sold for N2 million, while the two week old baby was reportedly sold to another woman who remains at large.
“The Anambra State Police Command, on the evening of July 11, recorded another major breakthrough in its sustained fight against child trafficking with the arrest of three female suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45, Hannah Ugah, 52, and Chinasa Daniel, 27, at a motor park in Onitsha by police operatives attached to Awada Divisional Headquarters,” Ikenga said.
He noted that some children were rescued during the operation, while other suspected members of the trafficking syndicate escaped and are currently being tracked by the police.
Describing child trafficking as a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, directed the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a comprehensive and discreet investigation.
According to the police spokesman, the commissioner also ordered operatives to intensify efforts to identify and arrest every member of the syndicate, while commencing coordinated operations to locate, rescue and reunite the trafficked children with their biological families.
The command commended members of the public whose timely information aided the operation and urged residents to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing efforts to combat child trafficking and related crimes across the state.
