Police arrest suspected child trafficker in Anambra

By Adeyanju Esther

The Anambra State Police Command hasdetained an individual (identity not disclosed) believed to be involved in a criminal network that traffics children from Nigeria to neighbouring nations such as Ghana and the Benin Republic.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, revealed this information in a press release on Wednesday.

Ikenga explained that the arrest came in response to concerns voiced by the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, regarding the rising number of missing persons reports in the state.

He stated, “The Anambra Police Command has in custody a suspect (identity withheld), who is part of a gang involved in trafficking children aged 13 to 16 to neighbouring countries such as Ghana and the Benin Republic.”

The arrest follows concerns raised by the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, about the increasing number of missing persons reports, particularly in Okpoko and Onitsha. He has directed police operatives to address and prevent such incidents.

According to him, the victim of child trafficking has been safely repatriated from Accra, Ghana to Nigeria and has been debriefed.

He also added, “The suspect is currently being interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka to facilitate the rescue of additional victims and the apprehension of other gang members.”