Police Arrest 2 Female Child Traffickers, Reject ₦1 Million Bribe in Imo

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have successfully rescued two children from their female abductors in two separate incidents and rejected a ₦1 million bribe offer during the operation.

This was disclosed by the police spokesperson for the state, DSP Henry Okoye, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.

According to Okoye, on February 4, 2025, operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested 32-year-old Confidence Odoh, a resident of Umuanyo Eziobodo in Owerri West Local Government Area, for allegedly abducting her former neighbor’s 3-year-old son, Nzubechi Ududiri, on February 1, 2025.

Odoh is said to have kidnapped the child while he was playing in her house’s premises. The child has since been safely reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ududiri.

In a separate operation, on February 21, 2025, police operatives from the Safer Highway Unit, during a routine stop-and-search on the Owerri-Aba Express Road, apprehended 45-year-old Eze Chika, a resident of Obiokwara Umualoma in Ideato North Local Government Area. She was found with a 4-year-old child suspected to have been abducted.

During interrogation, Chika initially claimed the child was hers but later admitted to purchasing the child for ₦1.8 million from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba, Abia State. In an attempt to secure her release, Chika offered the police operatives a ₦1 million bribe, which they rejected outright. The officers proceeded with her arrest and ensured the child’s safe rescue.

Okoye stated, “On February 4, 2025, detectives from the SCID arrested Confidence Odoh, aged 32, of Umuanyo Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, for abducting 3-year-old Nzubechi Ududiri on February 1, 2025. The child was playing in his compound when he was stolen. He has since been reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ududiri. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend possible accomplices.

“On February 21, 2025, operatives from the Safer Highway Unit arrested Eze Chika, aged 45, of Obiokwara Umualoma, Ideato North LGA, for being found with a suspected stolen 4-year-old child. Initially, Chika claimed the child was hers but later confessed to purchasing the child from a trafficking syndicate in Aba for ₦1.8 million. She attempted to bribe the officers with ₦1 million, which was firmly rejected. The officers proceeded with her lawful arrest, ensuring the child’s safe rescue.”

The police spokesperson also noted that further investigations have linked Chika to a broader child trafficking network, with additional arrests expected as authorities continue to work on identifying the child’s biological parents.

The Imo State Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling child trafficking and other forms of organized crime in the region. Residents, particularly parents, were urged to stay vigilant, closely monitor their children, and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the following numbers: 0803 477 3600, 0814 802 4755.

By Angela Nkwo-Akpolu, Owerri

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have successfully rescued two children from their female abductors in two separate incidents and rejected a ₦1 million bribe offer during the operation.

This was disclosed by the police spokesperson for the state, DSP Henry Okoye, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.

According to Okoye, on February 4, 2025, operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested 32-year-old Confidence Odoh, a resident of Umuanyo Eziobodo in Owerri West Local Government Area, for allegedly abducting her former neighbor’s 3-year-old son, Nzubechi Ududiri, on February 1, 2025.

Odoh is said to have kidnapped the child while he was playing in her house’s premises. The child has since been safely reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ududiri.

In a separate operation, on February 21, 2025, police operatives from the Safer Highway Unit, during a routine stop-and-search on the Owerri-Aba Express Road, apprehended 45-year-old Eze Chika, a resident of Obiokwara Umualoma in Ideato North Local Government Area. She was found with a 4-year-old child suspected to have been abducted.

During interrogation, Chika initially claimed the child was hers but later admitted to purchasing the child for ₦1.8 million from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba, Abia State. In an attempt to secure her release, Chika offered the police operatives a ₦1 million bribe, which they rejected outright. The officers proceeded with her arrest and ensured the child’s safe rescue.

Okoye stated, “On February 4, 2025, detectives from the SCID arrested Confidence Odoh, aged 32, of Umuanyo Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, for abducting 3-year-old Nzubechi Ududiri on February 1, 2025. The child was playing in his compound when he was stolen. He has since been reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ududiri. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend possible accomplices.

“On February 21, 2025, operatives from the Safer Highway Unit arrested Eze Chika, aged 45, of Obiokwara Umualoma, Ideato North LGA, for being found with a suspected stolen 4-year-old child. Initially, Chika claimed the child was hers but later confessed to purchasing the child from a trafficking syndicate in Aba for ₦1.8 million. She attempted to bribe the officers with ₦1 million, which was firmly rejected. The officers proceeded with her lawful arrest, ensuring the child’s safe rescue.”

The police spokesperson also noted that further investigations have linked Chika to a broader child trafficking network, with additional arrests expected as authorities continue to work on identifying the child’s biological parents.

The Imo State Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling child trafficking and other forms of organized crime in the region. Residents, particularly parents, were urged to stay vigilant, closely monitor their children, and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the following numbers: 0803 477 3600, 0814 802 4755.