Police Save 11-Year-Old Girl from Traffickers

The police in Ebonyi State have saved an 11-year-old girl. She was allegedly taken by a child trafficking group in May 2026.

Joshua Ukandu, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi, shared this news with reporters in Abakaliki on Thursday.

Mr Ukandu, a superintendent of police, said the rescue came after months of careful investigation into the girl’s kidnapping and the suspected trafficking group.

He mentioned that police operatives tracked and arrested Nneka Ibekwe in Nkpor, Onitsha, Anambra, on 6 October for her alleged role in the crime.

According to him, early investigations showed that Mrs Ibekwe allegedly bought the girl from the group in June 2026.

Mr Ukandu said Mrs Ibekwe told investigators she reached out to Benedicta Umeh, also called Nwanyi-Okigwe, after hearing that Umeh ran an orphanage and worked with welfare officials to help with child adoptions.

He added that Mrs Ibekwe claimed she wanted to adopt a child. She was asked to provide a consent letter from her church and a medical fitness certificate.

The police spokesperson said Mrs Ibekwe further claimed she paid about ₦4 million to Mrs Umeh before the child was given to her. He noted that these claims are still under investigation.

He stated that the rescued girl is safe now, and efforts to reunite her with her family are ongoing.

Mr Ukandu said the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Hope Okafor, praised the officers for their hard work and dedication to the case.

He said Mrs Okafor promised the public that anyone found guilty would face the law.

She also urged people looking to adopt children to do thorough checks and follow proper procedures before taking any child into their care.

The police commissioner encouraged everyone to stay alert and report any suspicious activities involving children to the nearest police station.