In a major breakthrough against human trafficking in Nigeria, the Anambra State Police Command has rescued 11 abducted children and apprehended a key suspect linked to an interstate child trafficking syndicate. The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Adamawa State Police Command, led to the arrest of a 43-year-old woman, Uche Okoye, believed to be a central figure in the trafficking network.

According to a statement released on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the intelligence-led operation took place on July 15, 2025, in Uruagu, Nnewi. The suspect was apprehended at the location where the children—five boys and six girls aged between three and six years—were being held.

Preliminary police investigations revealed that the children were abducted from various communities in Adamawa State and transported to Anambra, where they were being prepared for illegal adoption. Ikenga disclosed that the boys were being sold at ₦1.5 million each, while the girls were priced at ₦800,000—a grim reflection of the value placed on human lives by trafficking networks.

The rescued minors have since been handed over to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shuaibu Wara, who led the Adamawa Police team, for immediate reunification with their biological families.

Authorities say the arrested suspect has begun cooperating with investigators and is providing critical information that may lead to the apprehension of other members of the child trafficking ring operating across state lines.

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Uche Orutugu, expressed outrage over the growing trend of child trafficking and warned Nigerians, particularly couples seeking to adopt, to adhere strictly to legal procedures. He urged the public to carry out thorough background checks and work only with licensed agencies to avoid inadvertently participating in criminal activity.

This latest development highlights the increasing sophistication of human trafficking networks in Nigeria and the urgent need for coordinated nationwide action. The police reiterated their commitment to dismantling criminal networks and emphasized that efforts were ongoing to track down and prosecute all those involved.

Notably, the bust comes months after the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) dismantled another child trafficking ring in Ogun State that was transporting underage children for forced domestic labor and street begging.

Despite intensified efforts by law enforcement and civil society organizations, child trafficking remains a serious challenge in Nigeria—especially in border regions and underserved communities where poverty, weak legal frameworks, and limited education make children easy targets.

Experts and human rights advocates continue to call for broader adoption reform, greater inter-agency collaboration, community vigilance, and stronger penalties for traffickers to combat the scourge of child trafficking that undermines the nation's future.

As investigations continue, the public is encouraged to report suspicious activities and support government initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.