IMo State, Nigeria — The Imo State Police Command has arrested a couple for child trafficking after they deceitfully claimed a four-year-old boy named Isaiah as their own along the Owerri–Port Harcourt Road. The arrest followed police operations on August 12, 2025, according to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye.
The suspects, identified as 46-year-old Ngozi Ezekwere and 43-year-old Monday Atodo, reside in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Mrs. Ezekwere hails from Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State, while Mr. Atodo is from Ofu Local Government Area, Kogi State. Police investigations revealed that Isaiah was stolen in Kogi State by one Blessing Ogwo and handed over to Ngozi Ezekwere in Abuja, who then facilitated the delivery of trafficked children to buyers.
In a related operation, the police arrested two additional suspected traffickers and identified the syndicate’s mastermind, 56-year-old Ogochukwu Chikwelu from Nimo, Anambra State, who resides in Abuja.
On August 16, 2025, officers also arrested 29-year-old Precious Okoh at Umuguma Housing Area, Owerri, with a nine-year-old girl stolen from Igbogene, Bayelsa State. The child has since been reunited with her parents following police efforts to trace the family.
Superintendent Henry Okoye said Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, praised the operatives for their professionalism and stressed the command’s commitment to eradicating child trafficking. The commissioner urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and collaborate with law enforcement to protect vulnerable children and individuals.
