The Anambra State Police Command has successfully recovered a three-year-old girl in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area, after receiving reports involving conspiracy, child theft, anda illegal harbouring.
The child was reportedly taken by Chioma Anioma, an apprentice working in the victim’s home. Realising that law enforcement was tracking her, Chioma is said to have sold the child and escaped to Calabar, Cross River State, to avoid being apprehended.
Although the abduction occurred in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area, the girl was later found in Nnobi after being sold.
Details of the case were shared in a statement issued on Saturday by the Anambra State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
Ikenga explained that officers from the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu recovered the child early Friday morning through sustained, intelligence-driven operations. The girl has now been reunited with her parents.
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.”
Earlier, NewsCick Nigeria reported on November 10 that the Anambra State Police Command rescued a three-year-old boy and arrested six members of a child theft and trafficking network operating across Anambra, Enugu, and Lagos states.
According to SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command launched an investigation after receiving a child theft report on September 4, 2025. Prompt action by officers from the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka led to the arrest of the prime suspect, Samuel Ibe. His confession then facilitated the arrest of his mother, Agatha Ejeweh (35), and his younger brother, Ejeweh Chigozie Chidera (15).