Police Rescue 60 Trafficked Children in Anambra as Hidden Child Abuse Network Exposed

(Nigeria Police. Photo Credit: Punch News)

A total of 60 children trafficked into Anambra State have been rescued by the Anambra State Police Command over the past month, alongside several others who had been subjected to various forms of inhuman treatment across different parts of the state.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Wan Mantu Chongs, during a visit by the Beecharity Outlook Foundation, led by Sir Paul Nwosu, to the Commissioner of Police, Dr. Ikioye Orutugu, at the command headquarters in Amawbia.

The visit formed part of activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Child Labour, themed “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.”

Chongs lamented the dangers children continue to face but assured of the Command’s resolve to protect children and other vulnerable persons in the state.

He revealed that within the last six weeks alone, the CID had recovered about 60 trafficked children, many of whom were sold into unfamiliar and dangerous circumstances, with some as young as one to ten years old.

He described being deeply disturbed by the level of cruelty inflicted on one of the children, noting that her body bore extensive marks of brutalisation.

Earlier in the visit, CP Orutugu warned that anyone found violating the Child Rights Act would face the full weight of the law, reaffirming the Command’s readiness to shield children from harm.

He questioned whether society, government, and the wider community had truly fulfilled their obligation to guarantee every Nigerian child access to medical care, welfare, proper nutrition, decent housing, and other basic rights.

In his remarks, the foundation’s chairman, Nwosu, called on everyone to recognise the importance of protecting children at all times, noting that they lack the voice to defend themselves and depend largely on responsible adults and institutions to advocate on their behalf.

He stressed that the future of society lies within the homes, classrooms, and communities of today, warning that failing children now would put the future at risk.

He urged collective action to ensure that no child is denied a proper childhood, deprived of education, or forced into labour, stressing that every child deserves to be seen as a dream to nurture rather than a burden to bear.