The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered a child trafficking syndicate operating in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area, rescuing 33 underage girls in the process.
The raid, carried out on Wednesday by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, followed an ongoing investigation into cases of kidnapping, abduction, missing children, and child trafficking, the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed in a statement.
During the operation, three girls who had been abducted in Ebonyi State on September 26, 2025—Divine Mbam, 14; Nwagu Favour, 15; and Oke Blessing, 18—were located and rescued. One suspect, 37-year-old Ifeoma Success Anthony, was arrested during the raid.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the compound is allegedly used for child trafficking and prostitution and is owned by Mrs. Ngozi Nnanyelugo, 45, who is currently at large. Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend her and other possible accomplices while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the crime.
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The Anambra State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable children and urged members of the public to provide information that could aid ongoing investigations.
This latest operation follows a similar raid in October 2025, when police rescued a one-week-old baby in Ifite-Awkuzu and arrested four suspects linked to child trafficking.