Police Rescue Abducted 11-Year-Old Girl Allegedly Sold for ₦4m in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi State Police Command has rescued an 11-year-old girl, Chinecherem Ngwe, who was allegedly abducted in May 2026 and sold through a suspected child trafficking network.

The girl was rescued on October 6 in Nkpor, near Onitsha, Anambra State, following months of discreet investigations by police detectives, according to the Command.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said operatives traced the victim to a woman identified as Mrs Nneka Ibekwe, who was allegedly found in custody of the child.

Preliminary investigations indicated that Ibekwe allegedly acquired the girl from a suspected trafficking syndicate in June 2026 through an illegal adoption arrangement disguised as a legitimate child welfare process.

Police said Ibekwe reportedly approached another woman, Mrs Benedicta Umeh, popularly known as “Nwanyi-Okigwe,” who allegedly claimed to operate an orphanage and have connections with social welfare officials capable of facilitating adoptions.

According to the police statement, Umeh allegedly instructed Ibekwe to provide a consent letter from her church and a medical certificate of fitness to make the arrangement appear legitimate.

Ukandu said Ibekwe claimed to have paid about ₦4 million to Umeh before the child was handed over to her.

The police spokesperson stressed that the allegations remained subject to further investigation.

The Command confirmed that Chinecherem had been rescued and placed in safety, while administrative procedures were ongoing to reunite her with her biological family.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, commended the investigating team for its persistence and professionalism during the operation, which extended across state boundaries.

Okafor assured the public that anyone found culpable in the alleged trafficking network would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

She also warned prospective adoptive parents against obtaining children through unofficial channels, urging them to follow established legal procedures and work with authorised child welfare institutions.

The commissioner further called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving children to the nearest police station.

The police said investigations into the alleged trafficking network were continuing.