- Anambra police rescued 33 underage girls from a compound in Awkuzu
- Victims include three girls abducted in Ebonyi State
- One suspect arrested, while the main suspect is on the run
- Police say the building was used for child trafficking and prostitution
The Anambra State Police Command has dismantled a suspected child trafficking ring in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area, rescuing 33 underage girls during a targeted operation by its Rapid Response Squad.
The operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering linked to reports of kidnapping, abduction, and missing children across parts of the South-East.
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Confirming the development on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the raid was carried out on January 7, 2026, after relatives of missing girls raised an alarm.
“Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu recorded a major breakthrough in an ongoing investigation involving kidnapping, abduction, missing children and child trafficking,” Ikenga stated.
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According to the police, three of the rescued girls: Divine Mbam (14), Nwagu Favour (15), and Oke Blessing (18) were abducted from Ebonyi State on September 26, 2025 and later traced to a building on Emma Pigin Road, Aguleri.
Ikenga identified the suspect arrested at the scene as Ifeoma Success Anthony, aged 37. He added that preliminary investigations suggest the compound was being used for child trafficking and prostitution-related activities.
The property is reportedly owned by Mrs Ngozi Nnanyelugo, aged 45, who is currently on the run.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest the principal suspect and uncover other members of the trafficking network,” the police spokesman said.
The rescued girls have been placed under protective care, while investigations continue to determine their backgrounds and possible next of kin.
The Command also recalled a similar operation in October 2025, when a newborn baby was rescued in Ifite-Awkuzu and four women were arrested over alleged child trafficking.
Ikenga reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children and urged residents to continue sharing useful information with security agencies.
