Abia Police command rescues 12 Children, arrests couple for suspected child trafficking

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Abia state police command says it has busted yet another illegal orphanage home in Aba.

The police public relations officer in the state, DSP Maureen Chinaka in a press statement said their detectives from the command had on the 19/05/2025 at about 11:45 hrs, leveraging credible intelligence, apprehended one Blessing “f” aged 49 and Sunday “m” aged 42 for allegedly operating an unregistered motherless babies’ home in their apartment at Ikot Ekpene Road Aba.

The suspects were found in possession of twelve (12) children, aged between six months and fourteen years, from different villages in Arochukwu.

The statement disclosed that the rescued children have been safely handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for custody.

It further revealed that investigations were ongoing as the suspects are currently being interrogated at the state CID Umuahia and will soon be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigation.

The statement assured of the Command’s commitment to ensuring the reduction of crime and criminality in the state.

“We advise the public to stay security-conscious and ensure children’s safety.

“Do not leave children with unfamiliar persons, and report suspicious persons with children to the Police or use our hotlines via: 08035415405, 08079210004, 08079210003, 08079210005, in order to nip crime at the bud,” the statement concluded .