Police busts two human trafficking syndicates, rescues vulnerable victims
Abdullateef Fowewe
In a decisive crackdown on organised human trafficking, the Nigeria Police Force has successfully dismantled two major syndicates operating within the country, rescuing multiple victims—including children, pregnant women, and foreign nationals—and arresting eleven suspects across Enugu, Anambra, and Ondo states.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Zone-13 Police Command executed a precision sting operation targeting a deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network.
A statement on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed eight suspects, including Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52), and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56), were arrested.
Adejobi noted that during interrogation, they confessed to involvement in “child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes, and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories.”
The victims rescued included “a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women,” all held captive in a remote village.
In a parallel operation, Ondo State Police Command rescued a Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, trafficked under false pretences.
The operation followed a petition from Interpol and led to the arrest of three suspects linked to a transnational syndicate deceiving West African nationals with fake promises of employment and visas to countries like Canada.
Investigations revealed that “thirty-nine Ghanaian nationals” were victims of the same group, many lacking valid travel documents.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, praised the operatives, stating the operations “underscore the firm stance of the Nigeria Police Force against all forms of human trafficking, child exploitation, and transnational crimes.”
He urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, emphasising that “such crimes will not be tolerated under any guise.”
