Imo State police operatives have arrested a suspected child trafficker, Onyinyechi Emeka, 40, during a stop-and-search operation in the Okigwe area of the state.
The suspect was apprehended while travelling to Ebonyi with a five-year-old boy believed to have been abducted from his mother’s shop in Abia State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Imo, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday. He revealed that Emeka, a resident of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia, was intercepted on February 7.
Initial investigations uncovered that the child had been reported missing in Abia after being taken from his mother’s shop at No. 22 Chimezie Street, Obohia.
According to Okoye, the suspect initially claimed that the child was her sister’s son, but inconsistencies in her statements aroused suspicion among the officers.
“The child, displaying remarkable awareness, provided his father’s phone number, which enabled the police to confirm his identity as a missing person reported in Abia,” Okoye stated.
Further investigations revealed that Emeka had allegedly been paid ₦30,000 by a trafficking syndicate to deliver the child to a buyer in Ebonyi.
Police have since transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to conduct further inquiries and identify other members of the trafficking network.
Okoye assured the public that the suspect will be prosecuted upon completion of investigations. He also emphasized the need for parents and guardians to be extra vigilant to prevent child abductions and trafficking.
“Parents must remain vigilant and ensure their children’s safety at all times. We urge communities to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities promptly,” he added.
Child trafficking remains a serious concern in Nigeria, with criminal syndicates exploiting vulnerable families for illicit gains. Authorities continue to crack down on such networks, urging the public to assist in safeguarding children from falling prey to traffickers.
The rescued child has been reunited with his family, bringing relief to his parents, who had been in distress since his disappearance.
Police efforts to dismantle the trafficking ring responsible for the abduction are ongoing, with expectations of further arrests in connection to the case.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
