Police rescue 12 children, arrest couple for alleged child trafficking

In a major breakthrough against child trafficking, the Abia State Police Command has rescued twelve children and apprehended a couple operating an unregistered motherless babies’ home in Aba.

The operation, which took place on May 19, 2025, around 11:45 a.m., followed credible intelligence received by the police. Officers raided an apartment along Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba, where they arrested Blessing Emebo (49) and her husband, Sunday Emebo (42), over allegations of child trafficking.

The rescued victims, aged between two months and fourteen years, include: Ojiugo Caleb, Christian and Samuel Okoro, Clinton and Osinachi Nkemakolam, Marvelous, David, and Godwin Emmanuel, Ogechi Nkemakolam, Chinaza and Anointing Okoro, and a two-month-old baby named Testimony Emebo.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the children were brought from various villages in Arochukwu. Authorities have since handed them over to the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for proper care and protection.

The suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Umuahia and will face prosecution once investigations are concluded.

The Abia State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating child trafficking and safeguarding vulnerable children, urging the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activities involving minors.