The command said it arrested several suspects connected to the syndicate during operations carried out in Enugu, Imo and Rivers states.
The Police Public Relations Officer PPRO of the command, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Thursday.
Ukandu said the command received a report in May 2026 from one Mrs. Ngwe Ukamaka, who alleged that her two children, aged five months and 11 years, were abducted by persons who deceived her under the guise of marrying her.
According to him, the complainant was taken to Awgu in Enugu State to see her purported in-laws, where her children were taken away from her when she was asked to go and make her hair.
He said that while investigation into the case was ongoing, operatives of the command, on August 14, 2026, arrested four suspects, namely: Agu Okechukwu, Ndidi Kenneth Nwanga, Ugonma Igwe and Alagba Chinyere.
The PPRO explained that the suspects were allegedly involved in a scheme in which one, Mrs Oluchi Onah, was deceived into believing that she was being taken to Enugu for work, adding that she travelled to Enugu with her two-year-old child.
“At Enugu, Ndidi was with the child and directed Agu to take Mrs. Onah to a place where she would have her hair done. Agu subsequently abandoned her and went to meet Ndidi where they finalised the handing over of the child to a woman.
“On August 12, 2026, Agu approached another woman with a similar intention of abducting her child. However, the woman became suspicious and alerted the police, leading to Agu’s arrest and the subsequent apprehension of his accomplices,” he said.
Ukandu said following the arrest, a discreet and painstaking investigation led operatives to trace and recover Mrs. Onah’s child, who had since been reunited with her family, adding that further investigation linked the suspects to the abduction reported in May 2026.
He said the suspects provided information which led operatives to Okigwe in Imo State, where one, Mrs. Benedicta Umeh, also known as Nwanyi Okigwe, Obinna Nwankpa, and Mmekadinma Oledibe were arrested.
“During the operation, a three-year-old child, who preliminary investigation indicated had allegedly been sold by Nwanyi Okigwe to Mmekadinma for the sum of N2.5 million, was recovered.
“The arrest of the three suspects further led investigators to one Favour Chukwu, who allegedly provided information concerning the first complainant and her children, as well as the subsequent alleged abduction of a child in Isu community, Onicha Local Government Area,” he added.
The police spokesman further disclosed that another suspect, Ugochukwu Nwankpa, was also arrested, noting that preliminary investigation revealed that he and Favour allegedly took a child from Enugu and presented themselves as the child’s parents before social welfare officials.
He said during interrogation, the suspects claimed that the child belonged to a mentally challenged woman in Enugu, adding that they put sleeping pills in the woman’s food, after which the child was taken while she was asleep around the Holy Ghost area in Enugu.
Ukandu said the command also arrested two suspected accomplices, Ebere Anayo and Chinyere Nwakanma, who are social welfare officers in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the duo allegedly facilitated the handing over of children to persons seeking to adopt or foster children.”
“Further investigation on September 27, 2026, led operatives to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where one Franca Omire was arrested, and a baby boy abducted in May 2026 was recovered.”
“During preliminary interrogation, Franca Omire disclosed that Mrs. Benedicta Umeh (Nwanyi Okigwe) told her that she operated an orphanage and worked with the welfare office in Obowo LGA. She further stated that in July 2026, she paid the sum of N2.5 million and was subsequently given a document purportedly indicating that she had legally adopted the child,” he stated.
He said the command was intensifying its investigation and making concerted efforts to recover an 11-year-old child who was also abducted by the syndicate and unlawfully handed over to another person.
The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the operatives for their diligence and professionalism in unravelling the syndicate and recovering the abducted children.
She assured members of the public that the command would continue to pursue all persons found to be connected with the cases and ensure that they face the full weight of the law.
The command also urged members of the public, particularly persons seeking to foster or adopt children, to exercise caution and conduct proper due diligence through the appropriate government agencies before taking custody of any child.
@ Nigerian Tribune
