The Imo State Police Command has rescued 12 under-aged children suspected to have been trafficked from Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State to Aba in Abia State for street begging.
The operation, which took place along the Owerri-Aba Expressway on June 20, 2025, was carried out by operatives during a stop-and-search mission, according to a statement issued on Sunday evening by the police spokesperson, Henry Okoye.
Okoye disclosed that the officers arrested a 42-year-old woman, Ann Ngozi Enyenwa, from Umudim, Ohakelem in Ngor-Okpala LGA, in connection with the incident.
“The Imo State Police Command, through an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation, has arrested one Ann Ngozi Enyenwa, 42 years old, of Umudim Ohekelem in Ngor-Okpala LGA, and rescued twelve suspected stolen children on 20th June 2025 along the Owerri-Aba Express Road,” the statement read.
“This arrest led to the uncovering of a disturbing child trafficking network that exploited minors for street begging in Aba, Abia State.
“Upon her arrest, the suspect was found with several children whose appearance and condition immediately aroused suspicion. Consequently, the case was referred to the IGP X-Squad Unit for discreet investigation.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to trafficking children from Ngor-Okpala LGA to Aba, where they were coerced into street begging. She further disclosed that proceeds from their activities were allegedly sent to Shalom Motherless Babies Home in Okenyi, Eche LGA, Rivers State, where she claimed to be employed,” Okoye added.
The rescued children were identified as Chinyere Nnaralaeze, 10; Favour Madufor, 13; Ugochi Pius, 13; Ifeanyi Pius, 9; and Favour Timothy, 10. Others include Solomon Ihechi Chinuike, 7; Chinaza Madufor, 10; Nneoma Timothy, 9; Promise Maduenyenwa, 5; Gospel Chibuike, 9; Chinedu Maduenyiwa, 11; and Chinonso Paul, 10. All are from various communities in Ngor-Okpala LGA.
Okoye noted that the children are currently in the custody of the command and undergoing the process of identification, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to facilitate their reunion with parents and guardians.
He urged members of the public who may know the rescued children or their families to contact the X-Squad via 0803 477 3600 or 0816 008 7155.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, condemned the act and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of children in the state.
He assured the public that investigations were ongoing, with the promise that the outcome would be made known in due course.
Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.
The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.
The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.
During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.
Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.
“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.
“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.
“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”
Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.
According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.
He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.
“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.
The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said
The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.
“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said
According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.
A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.
The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.
“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.
The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.
The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.
Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.
A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.
