The Ebonyi State Police Command has rescued an 11-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted and sold for about ₦4 million through a suspected child trafficking network operating across state lines.
The victim, identified as Chinecherem Ngwe, was reportedly abducted in May 2026. She was rescued on October 6 after months of discreet investigations by police detectives, who traced her to Nkpor, near Onitsha, in Anambra State.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed that operatives located the girl in the custody of a woman identified as Mrs Nneka Ibekwe.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that Ibekwe allegedly obtained the child from the trafficking syndicate in June 2026, weeks after the reported abduction.
The police further alleged that the transaction was carried out through an illegal adoption arrangement disguised as a legitimate child welfare process.
Investigators said Ibekwe allegedly approached a woman identified as Mrs Benedicta Umeh, popularly known in the area as “Nwanyi-Okigwe,” who reportedly claimed to operate an orphanage and boasted of having connections with social welfare officials who could facilitate adoptions.
To make the arrangement appear legitimate, Ibekwe was allegedly instructed to provide a consent letter from her church and a medical certificate of fitness to establish her suitability as an adoptive parent.
SP Ukandu said preliminary interrogation records indicated that Ibekwe claimed to have paid approximately ₦4 million to Umeh before the child was handed over to her.
“She further alleged that she paid about N4 million to Nwanyi-Okigwe before the child was handed over to her,” Ukandu stated, adding that the claims remained subject to further investigation.
The police have confirmed that Chinecherem has been rescued and placed in safety. Administrative procedures are currently underway to reunite her with her biological family.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the detectives involved in the operation for their persistence, tactical discipline and diligence throughout the investigation, which crossed state boundaries.
Okafor also assured the public that everyone found to have participated in the alleged criminal network would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The police commissioner further warned people seeking to adopt children to follow established legal procedures and use officially recognised child welfare channels to avoid falling victim to illegal adoption arrangements or becoming involved in criminal activities.
“Members of the public seeking to adopt children must carry out thorough due diligence and strictly follow constitutional due process before taking custody of any child,” she warned.
She also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving children to the nearest police station.
The rescue highlights concerns about suspected child trafficking and illegal adoption schemes, with the police urging members of the public to verify the legitimacy of adoption arrangements before taking custody of any child.
Source: Police statement, Ebonyi State Police Command
