The Anambra State Police Command has successfully rescued a three-year-old girl in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area, after receiving reports of conspiracy, child theft, and unlawful harbouring.
According to the police, the child was allegedly taken by an apprentice, Chioma Anioma, who worked in the victim’s household.
After learning that officers were on her trail, Chioma reportedly sold the child and escaped to Calabar, Cross River State, in an attempt to avoid arrest.
Although the abduction occurred in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area, the little girl was eventually found in Nnobi, Idemili LGA, after being sold.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
Ikenga revealed that operatives from the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, recovered the child in the early hours of Friday following sustained and intelligence-driven investigations.
The rescued child has now been reunited with her family.
The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, successfully recovered a stolen three-year-old girl following a case transferred from Ogbaru Division, Atani, involving conspiracy, child stealing, and harbouring.
“The operatives rescued the child at Nnobi, Idemili South LGA, and have since reunited her with her parents.
“Preliminary investigations revealed the child was stolen by Miss Chioma Anioma, an apprentice in the victim’s family. Upon realising police were closing in, the suspect fled to Calabar after selling the child to another suspect who remains at large.
“To evade further police pursuit, Chioma abandoned the child at Nnobi before alerting the parents to her location.
“Intensive efforts continue to identify and arrest all suspects involved in the abduction and trafficking syndicate.”
This latest incident comes weeks after The PUNCH reported on November 10 that the Anambra State Police Command had rescued a three-year-old boy and arrested six members of a child-theft and trafficking network operating across Anambra, Enugu, and Lagos states.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga said at the time that the investigation began after a case of child theft was reported on September 4, 2025.
Swift action by detectives from the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, led to the arrest of the prime suspect, Samuel Ibe. His confession later resulted in the arrest of his mother, Agatha Ejeweh (35), and his 15-year-old younger brother, Ejeweh Chigozie Chidera.
