Child trafficking: Ebonyi police rescue 11-year-old girl sold 4m

 
 Enyinna Omoke,Abakaliki 
The Ebonyi State Police Command has rescued an 11-year-old girl, Chinecherem Ngwe, allegedly abducted in May 2026 by a suspected child trafficking syndicate, following months of investigation.
 
The command disclosed that its operatives, on October 6, 2026, traced and located a woman, identified as Mrs Nneka Ibekwe, in Nkpor, Onitsha, Anambra State, who allegedly purchased the child from the syndicate in June.
 
In a press release dated October 15, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi State Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, said preliminary investigations indicated that Ibekwe had taken custody of the girl after allegedly paying about ₦4 million to a woman identified as Mrs Benedicta Umeh, popularly known as Nwanyi-Okigwe.
 
According to the statement, Ibekwe told investigators that she approached Umeh after learning that she operated an orphanage and allegedly worked with officials at a welfare office to facilitate child adoptions.
 
She reportedly said she had expressed interest in adopting a child and was asked to provide a consent letter from her church and a medical certificate of fitness to establish her suitability for the process.
 
The police, however, noted that the allegations remained subject to further investigation.
 
The rescued girl is currently awaiting reunification with her family, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding her abduction and alleged sale continue.
 
The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the officers involved in the investigation for their diligence and commitment.
 
She assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.
 
The commissioner also cautioned prospective adoptive parents against taking custody of children without conducting proper checks and complying with established adoption procedures.
 
She urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving children to the nearest police station.
 
The police said the rescue formed part of the command’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the suspected child trafficking network and safeguard vulnerable children.