Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have recorded a significant breakthrough in the fight against child trafficking and related crimes, following the rescue of 33 underage girls from a residential building in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state. The operation, carried out on January 7, 2026, also led to the arrest of a female suspect believed to be a key figure in an alleged trafficking network operating across state lines.
The police said the rescue was executed by officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu, acting on intelligence generated from a distress report received through the Command’s Control Room. According to the police, the report was made by relatives of three missing children who had been abducted several months earlier and were believed to have been moved from their home state to an unknown location.
The missing children were identified as Divine Mbam, aged 14; Nwagu Favour, aged 15; and Oke Blessing, aged 18. All three are females who were reportedly abducted in Ebonyi State on September 26, 2025. Their disappearance had triggered anxiety among family members, who continued to search for leads until information emerged that the girls had been sighted in Anambra State.
Acting on the tip-off, police operatives traced the location to a house along Emma Pigin Road in Aguleri, a neighbouring community to Awkuzu. A swift operation was carried out, leading to the discovery of the three girls alongside 30 other underage females believed to be victims of similar circumstances. In total, 33 girls were rescued during the operation.
A female suspect, identified as Ifeoma Success Anthony, aged 37, was arrested at the scene. Police sources described her as a key suspect currently assisting investigators with information on the operation of the facility and the wider network allegedly involved in the trafficking of minors. The rescued girls were immediately taken into protective custody, where arrangements were made for their safety, medical evaluation and preliminary interviews.
Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the building where the girls were found was allegedly being used as a hub for child trafficking and prostitution. The property is said to be owned by another woman, identified as Mrs. Ngozi Nnanyelugo, aged 45, who is currently on the run. Police believe she is the principal suspect behind the operation and are intensifying efforts to locate and arrest her.
According to investigators, the circumstances under which the girls were kept point to an organised and deliberate criminal operation. While details of how each victim was recruited or abducted are still being examined, police say early findings suggest a pattern of deception, coercion and interstate movement, hallmarks commonly associated with human trafficking networks.
The Anambra State Police Command described the development as a major breakthrough in an ongoing investigation that spans kidnapping, abduction, missing children and child trafficking. Officials said the case underscores the complexity of trafficking crimes, which often involve multiple actors, safe houses and movement across state boundaries to evade detection.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest and rescue in an official statement, noting that investigations are still ongoing to determine the full extent of the crime. He said police are working to identify other accomplices who may have played roles in recruiting, transporting, harbouring or exploiting the victims.
He added that efforts are being intensified to apprehend the principal suspect, Mrs. Nnanyelugo, and dismantle the entire network connected to the alleged crimes. According to the police, further updates will be communicated to the public as investigations progress and more facts are established.
Child trafficking remains a serious concern in Nigeria, with victims often lured by promises of employment, education or better living conditions, only to be subjected to exploitation. Security agencies and child rights advocates have repeatedly warned that economic hardship, porous borders and weak community surveillance continue to make children especially vulnerable to traffickers.
The rescue of the 33 girls has drawn attention to the importance of timely information and cooperation between the public and law enforcement agencies. Police officials noted that the operation would not have been possible without the initial report made by concerned relatives, which provided the crucial lead needed to trace the victims’ whereabouts.
Authorities say the rescued girls will be handed over to relevant government and welfare agencies for proper care, rehabilitation and eventual reunification with their families where possible. Psychosocial support is also expected to be provided, given the trauma often associated with such experiences.
The Anambra State Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, with particular emphasis on safeguarding children and other vulnerable groups. The Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities, especially those involving minors or secluded facilities that may be used for illegal purposes.
Security experts say the case highlights both the scale of the challenge and the impact of targeted intelligence-led policing. They argue that while arrests and rescues are critical, sustained efforts are needed to address the root causes of trafficking, including poverty, lack of awareness and weak enforcement in some areas.
For families of the rescued girls, the operation has brought relief after months of fear and uncertainty. While the road to recovery may be long for the victims, authorities say ensuring justice and preventing further abuse remain top priorities.
As investigations continue, the Anambra Police have assured the public that all those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. The case is expected to serve as a warning to traffickers and their collaborators that security agencies are intensifying efforts to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal networks preying on children.
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