The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered and dismantled two major human trafficking networks operating across several Nigerian states, rescuing victims including children, pregnant women, and foreign nationals. A total of 11 suspects were arrested in connection with the operations.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, the breakthroughs came from coordinated operations by the Zone-13 Police Command and the Ondo State Police Command. These sting operations targeted crimes ranging from child trafficking and illegal adoption to transnational human smuggling.
In the Southeast, Zone-13 Command operatives conducted a precision-led raid that uncovered a disturbing baby factory and child trafficking network operating out of Enugu and Anambra States. Eight suspects were apprehended, including Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52), and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56), who confessed to participating in child theft, illegal adoptions, and running unauthorized medical centres functioning as baby factories.
Adejobi stated: “Operation led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations, including Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52), and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56). These individuals, during interrogation, confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes, and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories. Their criminal activities were strategically spread across Enugu and Anambra States, targeting vulnerable women and children for exploitation and sale.”
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Among those rescued were a seven-month-old baby, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women from Ebonyi State, who were being held against their will in a remote village.
“The victims rescued during the operation include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held under captivity in a remote village. Both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns. The rescue was swift and executed without harm to the victims, who are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care,” the statement added.
In a separate but related operation in the Southwest, the Ondo State Police Command rescued a trafficked Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, after receiving a petition from the Interpol Liaison Office in Abuja.
Acting on the intelligence, police operatives arrested three suspects: Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex, and Kojo Felix, identified as members of an international trafficking syndicate that allegedly lures victims from Ghana under the guise of securing them jobs and visas to countries like Canada.
“This operation was launched following a formal petition from the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters, Abuja, calling for immediate police intervention in a suspected case of transnational human trafficking,” Adejobi explained.
“Acting swiftly, the operatives initiated a targeted investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects: Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex, and Kojo Felix. Investigations revealed that these suspects are part of a wider international trafficking syndicate that specialises in deceiving individuals, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, with fake promises of employment and travel visas to countries like Canada.”
The operation also led to the discovery of an additional 39 Ghanaian nationals held in captivity by the traffickers. Many lacked valid travel documents, and those with passports presented expired ones. The victims were found in distressing conditions and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Adejobi reiterated the Force’s commitment to dismantling human trafficking syndicates and ensuring that all perpetrators face the full weight of the law.
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