In Owerri, the State Criminal Investigation Department detectives recently dismantled a notorious child trafficking syndicate involved in abducting children from unsuspecting parents. The successful operation resulted in the rescue of three children who were abducted in different local government areas. The suspects, including Ifeoma Anyanwu, Chibuzor Lucky, Charity Kalu, and Isidore Ozioma, were arrested for their involvement in luring children into their tricycle and selling them for a significant amount. The rescued children have been reunited with their families, while the suspects are currently undergoing thorough investigation at the State CID. Efforts are underway to locate other missing children.
The police commissioner, Aboki Danjuma, emphasized the importance of parental vigilance and close supervision of children to prevent such incidents. Child trafficking syndicates are known for engaging in the illegal trade and exploitation of children for various purposes like forced labor, sexual exploitation, child soldiering, and illegal adoptions. These criminal networks target vulnerable children, often from impoverished or conflict-affected areas, using tactics such as coercion, abduction, and deception to recruit or kidnap them for exploitation.