NSCDC Rescues Newborns, Arrests Orphanage Owner in Imo Child Trafficking Probe

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Imo State, Nigeria has taken into custody Tochukwu Ogaranya, 52, along with five pregnant women aged between 25 and 33, in connection with alleged child trafficking activities.

Five newborn babies were also rescued from the suspects.

Speaking in Owerri, Imo State on Saturday, the NSCDC Commandant, Basil Igwebueze, described the arrest as part of the command’s recent operations.

He explained that the suspects, including an alleged accomplice, Godwin Nnamdi, 47, were apprehended at the orphanage where the illicit activities were reportedly taking place.

Igwebueze said the operation was triggered on March 14 when an officer spotted a pregnant teenager fleeing the orphanage located in the World Bank area of Owerri.

This led to immediate action, resulting in the arrest of the orphanage owner and the rescue of both the pregnant women and newborns.

Describing child trafficking as a “heinous crime,” the commandant urged residents to report suspicious activities promptly.

He stressed that the intervention would not have been possible without local assistance and community cooperation.

The orphanage owner, Ogaranya, denied the allegations, asserting that her facility was certified and not engaged in trafficking. She recounted that one of the women, Chiamaka, 33, had arrived at the orphanage after escaping from a man in Abia who impregnated her.

Ogaranya stated that she had reached out to the police for assistance and was surprised when Chiamaka fled the facility and was later apprehended by local vigilantes.

Chiamaka, who is from Ikeduru Local Government Area, explained that she was introduced to the orphanage by someone she could barely identify, where she was allegedly expected to deliver and hand over her baby. Feeling unable to continue, she fled for her safety.

Igwebueze confirmed that the suspects will face prosecution for their alleged involvement in child trafficking.