Police Foil Human Trafficking Attempt, Rescue 18-Year-Old Girl Bound for Côte d’Ivoire in Anambra
By Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have foiled a suspected human trafficking operation and rescued an 18-year-old girl who was allegedly being transported to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, without the consent of her parents.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 10:30 a.m. on July 14 by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad’s Special Commander, the Village Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Awkuzu, following credible intelligence.
The sources said the operatives arrested two suspects identified as Chimaobi Nwaiwu, 40, and Onyinye Nwaiwu, 40, both of Abubor Village, Nnewichi, in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted while allegedly attempting to traffic Miss Nwachukwu Favor Onyiyechi, 18, from Ndianiche Village, Arondizogu, Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State, to Abidjan, where she was reportedly to work for an unidentified individual without the knowledge or consent of her parents.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to the offence and admitted that they had been involved in human trafficking for several years.
Police sources said the suspects further disclosed that they received 100,000 CFA francs for every person successfully trafficked.
The rescued victim has been placed under protective care, while investigators continue efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case.
The Anambra State Police Command said investigations are ongoing and that efforts have been intensified to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected trafficking syndicate.
