The Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has rescued 13 children from a suspected trafficker in Nnewi.
The raid, which took place in the early hours of last weekend was conducted in collaboration with Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra headed by the Managing Director, Celestine Anere.
The suspect, Angela Okechukwu from Umuzumbala Umuzu Otolo Nnewi, who the kids were found in her custody, was arrested and handed over to the police.
Among the rescued kids were four physically disabled persons, one speech impaired, twins, and six toddlers.
Reports indicate that Anambra State has been a hub for child trafficking.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons had in June, this year, arraigned Clara Chinwe Deborah Ogo, an 83-year-old woman and founder of the renowned Arrow of God Orphanage in Anambra State.
The arraignment took place at the Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, presided over by Hon. Justice Hauwa Yilwa, for alleged buying and selling of human beings for any purpose.
Clara Ogo, a retired Nigerian Army Lt. Col, and a nurse, owns the orphanage located at Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi L.G.A., Anambra State, with branches in Lagos State.
The Arrow of God Orphanage came under scrutiny in 2023 after an investigative journalist exposed alleged illicit activities related to illegal adoption and sales of babies linked to the orphanage.
Following these revelations, NAPTIP launched a comprehensive investigation, resulting in Ogo’s arrest on October 3, 2023, within the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Awka, Anambra State.
In September, this year, the state Police Command arrested a suspect in connection with the trafficking of teenagers aged between 13 and 16.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, said that the suspect had trafficked numerous teenagers to neighbouring countries.
Ikenga added that some of the victims, who had been taken to Ghana, have been safely returned to Nigeria.
The police spokesman disclosed that the suspect was apprehended following reports of increasing cases of missing teenagers in the state.