In a bold move to crackdown on organised human trafficking in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force has dismantled two major syndicates operating within the country.
In the process, the operatives rescued multiple victims, including children, pregnant women, and foreign nationals, while arresting a eleven suspects across the two states.
The Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement disclosed that recently, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Zone-13 Police Command executed a precision-led sting operation, targeting a deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network.
According to him, the operation led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations, including Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52), and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56).
“These individuals, during interrogation, confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes, and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories.
“Their criminal activities were strategically spread across Enugu and Anambra States, targeting vulnerable women and children for exploitation and sale.
“The victims rescued during the operation include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held under captivity in a remote village. Both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns.
“The rescue was swift and executed without harm to the victims, who are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care,” he disclosed.
Adejobi noted that there are efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate who managed to escape during the sting.
In a similar development, operatives of the Ondo State Police Command successfully rescued a Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, who was trafficked into Nigeria under pretences.
The operation, Adejobi also pointed out, was launched following a formal petition from the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters, Abuja, calling for immediate police intervention in a suspected case of transnational human trafficking.
“Acting swiftly, the operatives initiated a targeted investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects: Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex, and Kojo Felix.
“Investigations revealed that these suspects are part of a wider international trafficking syndicate that specialises in deceiving individuals, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, with fake promises of employment and travel visas to countries like Canada.
“During the operation, an additional thirty-nine Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same group. Many of them lacked valid travel documentation, while those in possession of passports presented expired papers, further underscoring the depth of exploitation. The victims were found in distressing conditions and are currently undergoing medical treatment,” the Force PRO further stated.
