The 13th Police zonal command, Ukpo, Anambra, covering Anambra and Enugu States, on Tuesday, said it has led a major crackdown on a human trafficking syndicate operating in the South-East.
The operation, it said, resulted in the arrest of eight suspects, the rescue of two children, and the liberation of two pregnant women.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Zonal command, AIG Abayomi Peter Oladipo made the disclosure after the successful sting operation that exposed a notorious baby factory.
During the briefing, Abayomi announced the arrest of key criminal elements and reaffirmed the Police Force’s unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable lives.
Maintaining that the Zonal command’s area remains a hostile ground for child traffickers and all criminal elements, saying the command continues to pursue justice for every victim and rid the communities of those who prey on the innocent.
The AIG praised the courage and professionalism of the operatives involved and urged the public to remain vigilant, encouraging citizens to report any suspicious activities to nearby police stations or directly to the Zonal Command.
He said that collective efforts are essential to eliminating criminal syndicates.
Details of the operation were formally communicated to journalists by CSP Josephine Ihunwo Josephine, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer.
According to her, the Command’s Zonal Intelligence Department (ZID) dismantled the dangerous child-stealing and trafficking syndicate operating across southeastern Nigeria.
“The sting operation, conducted on June 20, 2025, led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations within the zone.
“Among the arrested were Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52), and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56) identified as key players in a network involved in child theft, human trafficking, illegal adoptions, baby factory operations, and the management of unlicensed medical facilities.
“During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to multiple criminal activities, including conspiracy, abduction, sale of infants, exploitation of vulnerable individuals, and running baby factories for profit.
Our operatives recovered a 7-month-old baby and a 4-year-old child from a remote village hideout,” she stated.
Ihunwo further said two heavily pregnant women from Ebonyi State were rescued from captivity, where they were allegedly being held against their will for the sole purpose of giving birth to babies that would be sold.
“The syndicate’s operations, which spanned multiple communities, represent a deeply troubling chapter in Nigeria’s human trafficking crisis. However, this operation marks a significant victory in the fight against such heinous crimes.
“The Zone-13 Police has launched a manhunt to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate. All suspects in custody will be formally charged in court, as law enforcement agencies have pledged to follow every lead until the entire criminal network is completely dismantled,” she said.
