Ebonyi Police Rescue Three Children, Arrest Suspected Trafficking Syndicate
The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested several suspected members of a child-trafficking syndicate and rescued three children allegedly abducted and unlawfully handed over to prospective adopters.
The development was confirmed on Thursday, October 1, 2026, by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu.
According to the police, the investigation began after a complaint was lodged in May by a woman who alleged that her two children, a five-month-old baby and an 11-year-old child, were taken from her after she was allegedly deceived under the guise of marriage.
Police investigations later linked several suspects to other alleged child-abduction cases involving victims who were reportedly lured with promises of employment or other assistance.
One of the rescued children was a two-year-old allegedly taken from her mother after she was deceived into travelling to Enugu. The child was later traced and reunited with her family.
The investigation also led police operatives to Okigwe in Imo State, where more suspects were arrested and a three-year-old child was recovered. Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the child had allegedly been sold for ₦2.5 million.
Further investigations reportedly took operatives to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 27, where another suspect was arrested and the five-month-old baby allegedly abducted in May was recovered.
The police also arrested two social welfare officers in Imo State over allegations that they facilitated fraudulent documentation connected to some of the alleged illegal foster arrangements.
However, the police said efforts are still ongoing to locate the 11-year-old child allegedly abducted in May.
The Ebonyi State Police Command advised prospective adoptive and foster parents to use authorised government agencies and follow proper legal procedures, warning against informal arrangements and questionable documents.
The investigation remains ongoing as police work to identify and apprehend other persons allegedly connected to the cases.
