Abia State Police Command, on Monday, announced that it rescued twelve children and arrested a couple for allegedly operating an illegal orphanage.
The couple were also accused of engaging in suspected child trafficking.
The suspects, identified as Blessing Emebo (49) and Sunday Emebo (42), were apprehended on Monday, May 19, by police detectives acting on credible intelligence. The arrest took place at the couple’s apartment located along Ikot Ekpene Road in Aba, where they were allegedly running an unregistered motherless babies’ home.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, she said the children, ranging in age from two months to 14 years, were reportedly taken from various villages in the Arochukwu area of the state.
The rescued children have since been handed over to the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for proper care and protection, while investigations are ongoing. The suspects are currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Umuahia and are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
The police listed the rescued children as follows:
Ojiugo Caleb (14), Christian Okoro (12), Samuel Okoro (13), Clinton Nkemakolam (9), Godwin Emmanuel (10), Osinachi Nkemakolam (6), Marvelous Emmanuel (5), David Emmanuel (7), Testimony Emebo (2 months), Ogechi Nkemakolam (9), Chinaza Okoro (9), and Anointing Okoro (7).
The Abia State Police Command reiterated its commitment to combating child trafficking and other criminal activities in the state. The command also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and avoid leaving children in the care of unfamiliar individuals.