Police Arrest Alleged Child Trafficker, Rescue 5-Year-Old Victim In Imo

The Imo State Police Command has apprehended one Onyinyechi Emeka, suspected to be a notorious child trafficker, and rescued a five-year-old boy in her custody.

According to the Commands Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, the suspect, aged 40, was apprehended on Friday by the Commands operatives conducting a stop and search in Okigwe.

He said the suspect, who hails from Umuokwu Mbutu, Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State, was en route to Ebonyi State with the five-year-old boy before the eagle-eyed operatives detected irregularities in her answers when she was quizzed about the boy, who she initially claimed was her sister’s son.

Okoye further stated investigations revealed that the boy was stolen from his mother’s shop at No. 22 Chimezie Street, Obohia, Abia State and a rare display of awareness of the victim in providing his father’s phone further nailed the suspect as the child had been reported missing in Abia State.

He: “On 7th February 2025, police operatives attached to the Imo State Command, while conducting a routine stop-and-search operation in Okigwe, intercepted a suspected child trafficker, Onyinyechi Emeka, 40 years old, from Umuokwu Mbutu, Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State. She was en route to Ebonyi State with a five-year-old boy, later confirmed to have been stolen.

“On 7th February 2025, police operatives on stop-and-search duty in Okigwe intercepted Onyinyechi Emeka (40) of Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Abia State, en route to Ebonyi State with a five-year-old boy.

“Investigations revealed that the child had been stolen from his mother’s shop at No. 22 Chimezie Street, Obohia, Abia State.

“The suspect initially claimed the boy was her sister’s son, but inconsistencies in her statements raised suspicion. The child, displaying remarkable awareness, provided his father’s phone number, leading to his identification as a missing child reported in Abia State.

“Further investigation revealed that the suspect had collected ₦30,000 from a syndicate that remains at large to deliver the child to a buyer in Ebonyi State.

“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation to apprehend other syndicate members. The suspect will face prosecution upon conclusion of investigations.”

Police Arrest Alleged Child Trafficker, Rescue 5-Year-Old Victim In Imo is first published on The Whistler Newspaper