Police Detain Alleged Child Trafficker in Imo

Five-Year-Old Victim Rescued from Trafficking in Imo

The Imo State Police Command has arrested a suspected child trafficker, Onyinyechi Emeka, aged 40, and successfully rescued a five-year-old boy during a stop-and-search operation in the Okigwe area.

According to the police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, the arrest occurred on February 7, 2025, when officers intercepted Ms. Emeka, who was traveling to Ebonyi State with the child. Initial claims by the suspect that the boy was her sister’s son were found to be inconsistent, raising suspicions. The child, demonstrating remarkable awareness, provided his father’s phone number, leading to his identification as a missing child reported in Abia State.

Further investigations revealed that the child had been stolen from his mother’s shop at No. 22 Chimezie Street, Obohia, Abia State. Ms. Emeka allegedly received ₦30,000 from a syndicate to deliver the child to a buyer in Ebonyi State. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further inquiries, with efforts underway to apprehend other members of the syndicate.