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Major Human Trafficking Networks Busted: Police Apprehend 11, Save Victims

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The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled two major syndicates operating within the country, rescuing multiple victims, including children, pregnant women, and foreign nationals, while arresting a total of eleven (11) suspects across two states.

The operation comes in a bold and well coordinated crackdown on organised human trafficking.

Recently, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Zone-13 Police Command executed a precision-led sting operation, targeting a deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network.

The operation led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations, including Uzoamaka Ani (27), Joy Madu (52), and Victoria Onodu Akasike (56).

These individuals, during interrogation, confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes, and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories.

Their criminal activities were strategically spread across Enugu and Anambra States, targeting vulnerable women and children for exploitation and sale.

The victims rescued during the operation include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held under captivity in a remote village.

Both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns.

The rescue was swift and executed without harm to the victims, who are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care.

Meanwhile, efforts have intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate who managed to escape during the sting.

In a similar development, operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have successfully rescued a Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, who was trafficked into Nigeria under pretences.

This operation was launched following a formal petition from the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters, Abuja, calling for immediate police intervention in a suspected case of transnational human trafficking.

Acting swiftly, the operatives initiated a targeted investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects: Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex, and Kojo Felix.

Investigations revealed that these suspects are part of a wider international trafficking syndicate that specialises in deceiving individuals, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, with fake promises of employment and travel visas to countries like Canada.

During the operation, an additional thirty-nine Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same group. Many of them lacked valid travel documentation, while those in possession of passports presented expired papers, further underscoring the depth of exploitation.

The victims were found in distressing conditions and are currently undergoing medical treatment.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends the gallantry of all operatives involved in these successful operations, which further underscores the firm stance of the Nigeria Police Force against all forms of human trafficking, child exploitation, and transnational crimes.

Members of the public are encouraged to maintain vigilance and support ongoing efforts by reporting any suspicious individuals or movements to the nearest police station or command.

The Force remains resolute in its duty to protect the vulnerable and bring perpetrators to justice, reinforcing the message that such crimes will not be tolerated under any guise.

Crime

Chinese national apprehended in Anambra for involvement in illegal mining.

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A 45-year-old Chinese national, Mr. Mu Hua Qiang, has been arrested in Aguleri, Anambra State, for alleged involvement in illegal mining. He was apprehended by operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade during a surveillance operation and handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka.

Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect’s statement was taken and he is in custody pending further investigation. Authorities say illegal mining remains a serious concern in Anambra due to its environmental and security risks.

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Female Corps Member Recalls Harrowing Assault by Anambra Security Forces

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A National Youth Service Corps member, Jennifer Elohor, who was brutalised by Anambra security operatives, otherwise known as  “Agunechemba”, at a corpers lodge in Oba, Idemili Local Government Area of the state, has recounted her harrowing experience.

In a video that went viral on Tuesday, the operatives armed with guns stormed the corps members’ lodge, accused them of being Internet fraudsters, although they knew they were corps members. They were seen beating the female corps member despite her cries for help.

The incident has continued to generate widespread reactions across the state, with stakeholders, civil society organisations, human rights groups, and lawmakers condemning the action of the vigilante group, with many demanding justice for the victim and calling for sanctions against the vigilante team.

Elohor, who narrated her ordeal in an interview with a media personality, Aprokoking, shared online on Wednesday, said the Anambra State operatives broke into her residence, assaulted her, and forcefully took her and some of her colleagues away.

This is just as the Anambra State Government has tendered a public apology to the victim and anyone who had suffered abuse or harassment in the hands of Agunechemba personnel.

The corps member said the incident occurred on July 13, around 5pm, at the lodge where she and other corps members were residing.

She said she and her colleagues were indoors when suddenly they heard a violent knock on their door.

She said, “At first, we thought it was our neighbours’ door because it’s a three-storey building with several flats. But the knock became louder and more aggressive, so I decided to check. Before I could reach the door, it was kicked open.

“A masked man armed with a gun stormed into the room without any form of identification or uniform.

“At first, I thought it was an armed robber until he ordered all of us to come outside. I tried to explain that we were corps members and even suggested showing our NYSC identity cards. My colleagues also presented theirs, but the men ignored us. The intruders ransacked our room, seized our phones and laptops, and became violent.

“They pushed us downstairs, almost shoving me down the staircase. They kept asking what gave me the right, as a woman, to challenge them. It was when we got outside that we saw their vehicle and discovered they were from the Anambra Vigilante Group.”

She further claimed that when they requested to call their lodge proprietor or NYSC officials to notify them of where they were being taken to, the vigilante members became more brutal and violent.

“They beat me, tore my clothes, and even hit one of my colleagues with an iron rod for pleading on my behalf. They forced me into their vehicle, pressing my neck, slapping me, and threatening to smash our phones if we contacted anyone,” she added.

Following the outrage, the Anambra State Government, through the Special Adviser to the state governor on Community Security and leader of Agunechemba, Ken Emeakayi, while speaking to journalists on Thursday, restated that the eight personnel responsible have been identified, sacked, arrested and detained.

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Owo Bombing: Court Approves Protection for Witnesses

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……As court sets September 10 for bail ruling.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has approved protection measures for witnesses expected to testify in the trial of five suspects linked to the June 5, 2022 bombing at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The ruling followed an ex parte application by the prosecution, led by Calistus Eze, under the Terrorism Prevention Act 2022.

The accused—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar—face a nine-count terrorism charge related to their alleged ties to the East African terrorist group Al-Shabab. The attack resulted in over 40 deaths.

Prosecutor Eze emphasized the severity of the charges in support of witness protection. The defendants’ counsel, Abdullahi Muhammad, raised no objections.

Separately, Abdullahi Muhammad filed bail applications for the suspects, which the prosecution opposed. Eze argued that due to the suspects’ suspected foreign terrorist links, there was a high risk they might abscond if granted bail. He also cited concerns about potential threats to the six witnesses and doubts over the reliability of any sureties.

The prosecutor informed the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) has approved visitation rights for the suspects’ families while in custody.

During the hearing, Eze also notified the court of the Attorney General’s appointment of Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ayodeji Adedipe as the new lead prosecutor. The case file transfer is ongoing.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until September 10 for a ruling on the bail application.

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