The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Imo State has apprehended a 52-year-old orphanage manager, Tochukwu Ogaranya, and liberated five expectant mothers over purported involvement in child trafficking.
The Imo State head of the corps, Basil Igwebueze, disclosed this on Saturday in Owerri while informing journalists about recent operations conducted by the command.
Igwebueze stated that the suspects, along with an alleged accomplice, Godwin Nnamdi, 47, were captured at an orphanage situated in the World Bank region of the state capital, where the command suspects illicit activities were taking place.
According to him, the arrest was prompted by an incident on March 14, when an officer observed a pregnant teenager trying to flee from the facility, which led operatives to raid the site.
“After our personnel noticed a pregnant teenager fleeing from the orphanage, they swiftly intervened, detained the owner, and took the pregnant women and the newborns into protective custody,” he stated.
The commandant characterized child trafficking as a grave offense and urged the public to promptly notify security agencies when they observe any suspicious actions or movements.
“Crimes of this nature can only be revealed when community members work with security agencies. We encourage the public to always report any irregularities they witness,” Igwebueze added.
In response to the allegations, the orphanage proprietor, Ogaranya, refuted any misconduct, asserting that the home was duly registered and not implicated in trafficking.
Nevertheless, Igwebueze indicated that the suspects would be brought before the court after investigations are finalized.
