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ABIA, Nigeria - A total of 12 child trafficking victims, including a six-month-old infant, were rescued by the Nigeria Police Force following the bust of an unregistered and illegal motherless babies' home in Abia State.
The victims, aged between six months and 14 years, were saved by operatives from the Abia Police Command during a raid on the unauthorized childcare facility, which was allegedly engaged in child trafficking under the pretense of adoption.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two individuals: Blessing Emebo, a 49-year-old woman, and Sunday Emebo, aged 42, for running the illegal motherless babies’ home from their residence on Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba.
Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olamuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the rescue on Monday, noting that investigations indicated that the children came from various villages in the Arochukwu area of the state.
Adejobi mentioned that the rescued children have been transferred to the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for appropriate care, and the suspects are currently being interrogated and will face charges in court once investigations are completed.
In another operation, he revealed that operatives from the Kogi State Command intercepted a vehicle belonging to a suspected gunrunner, accused of providing arms and ammunition to bandits and criminals causing terror in the state and its borders.
However, the suspects managed to escape by abandoning the vehicle and fleeing into nearby bushes during a high-speed pursuit.
"A quick search of the area resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including 5 AK-47 rifles, 8 AK-47 magazines, 283 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and 2 rounds of 7.62x59mm ammunition," he said.
Adejobi added that efforts are being made to apprehend the fugitive, with law enforcement agencies conducting a manhunt to track and prosecute him.
Furthermore, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has praised the bravery of the operatives and the public's cooperation in these successful operations.
These accomplishments, according to Egbetokun, reaffirm the Force’s dedication to eradicating crime, illegal arms, and exploitative practices targeting vulnerable populations.
He also urged the public to stay alert, avoid handing over children to unknown individuals, and report any suspicious activity or people to the nearest police station.
