Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested four women for alleged involvement in a child trafficking scheme and rescued a one-week-old baby girl in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the operation was carried out by officers of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, following credible intelligence that led to a raid on a facility known as Mama Maternity at Ifite-Awkuzu.
During the operation, four female suspects — identified as Elizabeth Okafor (62), Esther Nweke (48), Ngozi Maanfa (45), and Peace Elijah Moses (25) — were apprehended in connection with the illicit purchase of the newborn.
Preliminary investigations, according to police sources, revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired to buy the baby girl for ₦1.7 million, with an advance payment of ₦350,000 already made to the purported biological mother, identified as Peace Elijah Moses.
The rescued infant is currently in safe custody under the care of the state’s protective services.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, mnips, PhD, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Gender Unit, Awka, for further investigation and prosecution of all those involved.
CP Orutugu reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting children and combating all forms of human trafficking across Anambra State.
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