Police Rescue 12 Stolen Children in Imo, Arrest Suspected Trafficker
By Elijah Ezekiel |
Owerri, Imo State – The Imo State Police Command has rescued 12 children believed to have been victims of child trafficking and arrested a woman allegedly connected to the criminal operation.
According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, the arrest was made on June 20, 2025, during an intelligence-driven stop-and-search operation along the Owerri-Aba Expressway.
The suspect, Ann Ngozi Enyenwa, 42, a native of Umudim Ohekelem in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, was intercepted with several minors whose appearance raised concerns.
Children Forced Into Street Begging
Further investigations by the IGP X-Squad Unit revealed that Enyenwa was allegedly trafficking children from Imo State to Aba, Abia State, where they were forced into street begging.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to trafficking the children and stated that proceeds from their begging were sent to Shalom Motherless Babies Home in Okenyi, Eche LGA, Rivers State, where she claimed to be employed,” the statement said.
List of Rescued Children
The rescued children, aged between 5 and 13, are all reportedly from communities in Ngor-Okpala LGA. Their names are as follows:
- Chinyere Nnaralaeze (10)
- Favour Madufor (13)
- Ugochi Pius (13)
- Ifeanyi Pius (9)
- Favour Timothy (10)
- Solomon Ihechi Chinuike (7)
- Chinaza Madufor (10)
- Nneoma Timothy (9)
- Promise Maduenyenwa (5)
- Gospel Chibuike (9)
- Chinonso Paul (10)
All 12 children have been placed in protective custody while police work with social services and relevant agencies to locate and reunite them with their families.
Public Urged to Assist Investigation
The Imo State Police Command is urging members of the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the rescued children’s relatives or assist in the ongoing investigation into the trafficking ring.
