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The Imo State Police Command has rescued 12 children believed to have been stolen and apprehended a 42-year-old woman, Ann Ngozi Enyenwa, suspected of operating within a child trafficking syndicate. The operation took place on June 20, 2025, along the Owerri-Aba Expressway, following an intelligence-led stop-and-search exercise, according to a statement released Sunday night by police spokesperson Henry Okoye.
Enyenwa, a native of Umudim Ohekelem in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, was arrested after officers noticed suspicious circumstances involving several children in her possession.
Investigations by the IGP X-Squad Unit revealed that she was allegedly trafficking minors from Imo State to Aba, Abia State, where they were forced into street begging.
During interrogation, Enyenwa confessed to the crime, stating that proceeds from the children’s begging were remitted to Shalom Motherless Babies Home in Okenyi, Eche LGA, Rivers State, where she claimed to be employed.
The rescued children, aged between 5 and 13, were identified as Chinyere Nnaralaeze (10), Favour Madufor (13), Ugochi Pius (13), Ifeanyi Pius (9), Favour Timothy (10), Solomon Ihechi Chinuike (7), Chinaza Madufor (10), Nneoma Timothy (9), Promise Maduenyenwa (5), Gospel Chibuike (9), Chinonso Paul (10), and one other child whose identity is yet to be fully confirmed. All are reportedly from communities within Ngor-Okpala LGA.
The children are currently in protective custody, with the police collaborating with relevant agencies to locate their families for reunification. The Imo State Police Command has urged the public to provide any information that could assist in identifying the children’s relatives or support ongoing investigations into the trafficking network.
Authorities continue to probe the case to dismantle the syndicate and ensure justice for the victims.
