Once again, positive news has emerged about the police, who demonstrated professionalism in their efforts to rescue children from the clutches of child traffickers.
The Imo Police Command has made significant strides in combating child trafficking, recently arresting two suspected traffickers and successfully rescuing two stolen children during separate operations.
According to the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, on February 21, operatives from the Safer Highway Unit conducted a thorough stop-and-search operation on the Owerri – Aba Express Road. During this operation, they apprehended a 45-year-old suspect, Eze Chika, who was found in possession of a four-year-old child. Initially, Chika claimed the child was hers, but later confessed to purchasing the child from a suspected trafficking syndicate in Aba for N1.8 million.
Notably, in a bid to avoid arrest, she attempted to bribe the officers with N1 million, an offer that was firmly rejected. The officers ensured the child’s safety while continuing their investigation, which has revealed potential connections to a larger trafficking network, suggesting that additional arrests may follow.
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In a separate incident, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested 32-year-old Confidence Odo on February 4 for allegedly abducting her ex-neighbor’s son. Investigations indicated that Odo took the child while he was playing in the compound where they both resided. Thankfully, the child was successfully rescued and has been reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ududiri. The police are actively working to identify any possible accomplices in this case.
Okoye emphasized the command’s dedication to eradicating child trafficking and other organized crimes within the state. He also urged community members, especially parents, to remain vigilant and keep a close watch on their children. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to their nearest police station or to call the designated hotline numbers for assistance.
