The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Imo State has arrested a 52-year-old orphanage owner, Tochukwu Ogaranya, alongside five pregnant women aged between 25 and 33 over alleged involvement in child trafficking.
The command also disclosed that five newborn babies were rescued from the suspects.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Basil Igwebueze, made this known on Saturday in Owerri while briefing journalists on recent operations carried out by the command.
Igwebueze said the suspects, including an alleged accomplice identified as Godwin Nnamdi, 47, were apprehended at an orphanage in the World Bank area of Owerri, where they were allegedly conducting the illegal activities.
According to him, the operation was triggered on March 14 when one of the command’s officers noticed a pregnant teenager attempting to escape from the orphanage.
He explained that the development prompted security operatives to move into the facility, leading to the arrest of the orphanage owner and the rescue of the pregnant women and newborn babies.
Describing child trafficking as a “heinous crime,” Igwebueze urged residents of the state to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or activities to security agencies.
He commended members of the public who provided information that helped the command uncover the alleged crime, noting that the breakthrough would not have been possible without their cooperation.
“If residents of the state had not assisted us with the necessary information, the command would not have uncovered such a criminal act,” he said.
However, Ogaranya denied the allegations, insisting that her orphanage was duly certified and not involved in child trafficking.
She recounted that a 33-year-old woman identified as Chiamaka came to the orphanage while pregnant after allegedly escaping from the man responsible for her pregnancy in Abia State.
Ogaranya claimed she had contacted the police, who promised to accompany Chiamaka to Abia to apprehend the man involved.
She added that she was later informed by workers at the orphanage that Chiamaka had scaled the fence of the compound and was subsequently apprehended by local vigilantes.
Chiamaka, who is from Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, said she had been introduced to the orphanage by someone she could barely identify, who allegedly suggested that she could deliver her baby there and sell the child.
She said she later decided to escape after feeling unable to cope with the situation at the facility.
Igwebueze stated that the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.
