Abia Police Rescue Six Abducted Children, Arrest Suspect Over Alleged Child Trafficking

Abia Police Rescue Six Abducted Children, Arrest Suspect Over Alleged Child Trafficking.

The Abia State Police Command has rescued six abducted children and arrested a 51-year-old suspect, identified as Nnamdi Lazarus, over his alleged involvement in conspiracy and child trafficking.

The Command disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command.

According to the statement, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Aba North, acted on credible and actionable intelligence to apprehend the suspect, who is from Mbano in Imo State but currently resides in Uratta, Aba, Abia State.

Police said the suspect was found harbouring six children believed to have been abducted from different parts of Abia State. The rescued children were identified as Nnenna Ogbuogu (5) and Nwanne Ogbuogu (3), both from Abriba; Amanda Iheke Emmanuella (3), Destiny Iheke Emmanuel (7), Anointing Iheke Emmanuel (5), all from Item; and Ihechi Obasi (7), also from Item.

The Command confirmed that all six children have been safely reunited with their respective families following the rescue operation.

Police further revealed that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected child trafficking syndicate, adding that the arrested suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property through intelligence-led policing, the Abia State Police Command assured residents that criminal elements would find no safe haven anywhere in the state.

The Command also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information on criminal activities through the nearest police station or the Command’s emergency hotlines.