By Amah
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Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have busted a child trafficking syndicate in the state.
The criminal cartel, which is said to operate in different regions, was on September 30, 2024, dismantled in a major operation by detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, in Owerri.
The operation also resulted in the rescue of three abducted children and the arrest of four suspected members of the syndicate.
The victims were on July 4, 2024, abducted from Ndinwegbu Umuoma, Onicha, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Isidore Ozioma (56) from Umuhu Onicha, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, Imo State; Chibuzor Lucky (42) from Umuezeala Umuerim, Ubakala, Umuahia, Abia State; Ifeoma Anyanwu (41) from Oloko Ikwuano LGA, Abia State; and Charity Kalu (24) from Okono, Ohafia LGA, Abia State.
It was gathered that the syndicate, operating in a tricycle, lured the children away while playing outside and took them to a location in Aba, Abia State.
It was there that the children were sold for N1 million. However, they have been safely recovered.
Aboki Danjuma, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, has therefore warned parents and guardians to be cautious and more watchful over their children and wards and emphasised the importance of cooperation among residents in the fight against crime and criminality.
