The children, aged three to six, were abducted from Adamawa State and sold to unsuspecting adopters for ₦1.5 million per boy and ₦800,000 per girl.
The Anambra State Police Command has busted an interstate child trafficking syndicate and rescued 11 children — five boys and six girls — in Uruagu, Nnewi.
Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the July 15 operation was carried out by operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Police Command.
“One female suspect, Uche Okoye, aged 43, was arrested,” the statement said. “The children, aged three to six, were abducted from Adamawa State and sold to unsuspecting adopters for ₦1.5 million per boy and ₦800,000 per girl.”
The rescued children were handed over to ACP Shuaibu Wara of the Adamawa Police Command for reunification with their families.
CP Ikioye Orutugu commended the officers for their swift response and urged the public to follow due process in adoption cases.
“In a strong advisory, the CP cautioned individuals to avoid criminal networks under the guise of adoption,” Ikenga stated, adding that efforts are ongoing to arrest more suspects.