The Anambra State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its crackdown on child trafficking, arresting three women allegedly linked to a syndicate involved in the sale of trafficked children and launching a manhunt for other fleeing members of the network.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday, July 12, 2026, that the suspects were arrested on the evening of July 11 by operatives attached to the Awada Divisional Headquarters during an operation at a motor park in Onitsha.
The suspects were identified as Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27.
According to Ikenga, preliminary investigations revealed that Chinasa allegedly trafficked two children—a two-week-old baby and a four-year-old child—on separate occasions between June and December 2025 and handed them over to Hannah Ugah.
He further disclosed that the four-year-old child was later transferred to Florence Nnakuzie and allegedly sold for ₦2 million, while the two-week-old baby was reportedly sold to another woman who is currently on the run.
The statement reads in part: “Preliminary information reveals how Chinasa Daniel allegedly brought two children—a two-week-old baby and a four-year-old child—on two separate occasions between June and December 2025 and handed them over to Hannah Ugah.
“Chinasa further disclosed that the four-year-old child was subsequently handed over to Florence Nnakuzie and allegedly sold for the sum of Two Million Naira (₦2,000,000), while the two-week-old baby was allegedly sold to another woman who is currently at large.”
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, described child trafficking as a serious crime and ordered an expanded investigation to dismantle the criminal network.
According to Ikenga, the Commissioner directed the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for a comprehensive and discreet investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu… while describing child trafficking as a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity, directs the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for a comprehensive and discreet investigation,” the statement said.
The police boss also ordered detectives to intensify efforts to identify and arrest every member of the trafficking syndicate, while commencing coordinated operations to locate, rescue and reunite the trafficked children with their biological families.
The Command commended members of the public whose timely information led to the successful operation and urged residents to continue supporting the police with credible intelligence to combat crime across the state.
