From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested four women for alleged child trafficking after operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, rescued a week-old baby girl reportedly sold for ₦1.7 million.
The suspects—62-year-old Elizabeth Okafor, 48-year-old Esther Nweke, 45-year-old Ngozi Maanfa, and 25-year-old Peace Elijah Moses—were arrested on Tuesday, October 28, during a raid on a facility known as Mama Maternity located in Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said investigations revealed that the women conspired to purchase the newborn baby. He added that the purported biological mother, identified as Peace Elijah Moses, had already received an advance payment of ₦350,000 before the sale was completed.
Ikenga said the infant has been rescued and placed under protective custody.
According to him, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State CID Gender Unit in Awka for discreet investigation and prosecution.”
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding children and intensifying the fight against human trafficking across the state.