Police nab two child trafficking suspects, rescue victims in Imo

The Imo State Police Command has arrested two suspects allegedly involved in child theft and trafficking, rescuing two children in the process.

The arrests were made in separate operations carried out by different units of the command.

A press statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, revealed that detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, arrested one woman, Confidence Odoh, 32, from Umuanyo Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, for the abduction of her former neighbour’s three-year-old son, Nzubechi Udodiri. The child was taken on 1st February 2025 while playing in their compound.

Okoye further disclosed that in another operation, operatives of the Safer Highway Unit, while conducting a stop-and-search along the Owerri-Aba Expressway, apprehended a woman, Eze Chika, 45, a native of Obiokwara Umualoma, Ideato North LGA, who was found with a suspected stolen four-year-old child.

During the preliminary investigation, the suspect initially claimed the child was hers but later admitted to purchasing the child from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba for the sum of N1.8 million.

Okoye added that, in an attempt to evade arrest, the suspect offered the officers a N1 million bribe, which was rejected.

“The officers proceeded with the lawful arrest and ensured the safe rescue of the child. Further investigations revealed possible links to a larger trafficking network, and more arrests are expected. Efforts are underway to identify the child’s biological parents,” Okoye stated.

He emphasised that the recent arrests demonstrate the command’s commitment to combating child trafficking and other organised crimes.