Six children believed to have been victims of a child trafficking syndicate have been rescued by the Abia State Police Command following the arrest of a 51-year-old suspect during an intelligence-led operation in Aba.
The suspect, identified as Nnamdi Lazarus, was arrested by operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit after security agencies received credible intelligence about his alleged involvement in child trafficking activities. Police said the operation was carefully planned to ensure the children were rescued unharmed.
According to the police, the six children were found in the suspect’s custody and were immediately taken into protective care before being reunited with their respective families after proper identification.
The command described the rescue as a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to dismantle child trafficking networks operating within and outside Abia State, noting that investigations have already uncovered fresh leads.
Police spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said detectives are now working to identify and arrest other members of the suspected trafficking syndicate believed to be connected to the crime.
She assured residents that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, stressing that the command remains committed to bringing everyone involved in the illegal operation to justice.
The police also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and closely monitor their children while reporting suspicious movements or individuals within their communities to security agencies without delay.
The command reaffirmed that it would continue intelligence-driven operations across the state to combat child trafficking and other organised crimes, warning criminals that Abia would remain hostile to anyone involved in kidnapping or trafficking children.