In a major breakthrough against child trafficking, Anambra State Police have rescued ten malnourished children and arrested three suspects, including a fake doctor, from an apartment in Onitsha’s Inland Town area. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Anambra State Police Commissioner Ikioye Orutugu shared details of the operation that began with community tips about missing children.
The investigation kicked off when residents reported a 6-year-old boy missing in July 2024, followed by another report of a missing 5-year-old girl this month. Police arrested the primary suspect, Odinakachukwu Okorie, who later implicated his accomplice Ifunanya Ogbonna.
The pair had reportedly planned to transport the recently kidnapped 5-year-old girl to Abuja before their arrest. During questioning, Ifunanya confessed to selling one child to Daniel Ikebuilo, a fake medical doctor, for one million naira.
The police operation led to a shocking discovery when officers found eight more children held in deplorable conditions at an apartment in Inland Town. All ten rescued children, aged between 5 and 8 years, showed signs of severe malnourishment.
The State Police Command has partnered with the Anambra State Ministry of Women’s Affairs to provide medical care and support for the traumatized children. Commissioner Orutugu emphasized how crucial community cooperation was in cracking the case.
“This success shows what we can achieve when the public works hand in hand with law enforcement,” Orutugu said. He urged anyone with missing children to contact the Anambra State Police Command for possible reunification with their children.
