Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have rescued a one-week-old baby girl and arrested four women suspected of involvement in a child trafficking ring at Ifite-Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, revealing that the arrests were made following credible intelligence.

According to Ikenga, operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Awkuzu raided a location identified as Mama Maternity in the early hours of Tuesday, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the rescue of the baby.

The arrested suspects include Elizabeth Okafor (62 years), Esther Nweke (48 years), Ngozi Maanfa (45 years), and Peace Elijah Moses (25 years).

Preliminary investigations revealed that the women allegedly conspired to purchase the newborn for ₦1.7 million, with an initial payment of ₦350,000 reportedly made to the child’s biological mother, who was also among those arrested.

“The Anambra State Police Command, through its operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in the early hours of Tuesday, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a location identified as Mama Maternity situated at Ifite-Awkuzu… During the raid, the operatives rescued a one-week-old baby girl and arrested four female suspects in connection with a case of conspiracy and child trafficking,” Ikenga stated.

The police spokesperson further confirmed that the rescued baby is in safe custody under protective care.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Gender Unit, Awka, for further investigation and prosecution.

The Anambra State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating all forms of child trafficking and protecting the rights of children across the state.