The Abia State Police Command has rescued 18 stolen children and arrested ten suspects in a major operation that dismantled a notorious child trafficking network operating within Aba and its environs.
On Friday, October 10, 2025, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed that the arrests followed coordinated raids carried out by operatives of the Command under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa.
According to the statement, the operation was triggered by a complaint received on September 27, 2025, at the Ohuru Isimiri Police Divisional Headquarters. A woman from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, had reported that a man lured her to Aba under the guise of marriage but disappeared with her two children when she stepped out to buy food.
Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives raided a residence on October 8, leading to the arrest of five suspects — Mrs. Best Ndubusi (41), Charles Enyinnaya (25), Eunice Ezekiel (35), Nnena Kalu (60), and Gideon Esther (25) — and the rescue of one infant and seven children.
Further investigations led to another successful raid along the Aba/Owerri Road on October 9, where four additional suspects — Obiegbunam Von (65), Ezeoma Rejoice (21), Ngozi Owoh (20), and Favour Ernest (22) — were apprehended. Seven infants and three children were rescued during the operation.
On October 10, police operatives arrested Brittney Oyemuwa Zion (22) of Amuoji Uku, Obingwa LGA, recovering one more child and bringing the total number of rescued victims to 18.
The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Umuahia.
CP Danladi Isa commended the swift response of his officers and reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to eradicating child trafficking and other forms of crime in the state.
He urged members of the public to visit the Gender Section of the SCID to help identify the rescued children and reclaim missing wards. The Commissioner also called on parents and guardians to remain vigilant, monitor their children closely, and promptly report suspicious movements or persons to the nearest police station.
