Chioma Anoruo with some of the stolen
children kept in captivity
The police at State Criminal
Investigation Department, SCID, Owerri, have arrested a woman who engages in
human trafficking in Okporo in Orlu town, Imo State. The woman, Chioma Anoruo,
has allegedly confessed that she and her husband, Emeka, who is now on the run,
have sold more than 19 children to their clients.
Chioma was arrested by the
community’s local vigilante led by their chairman, Innocent Anokwute, who later
handed her over to the police at SCID. Five children including a new born baby
kidnapped for sale were also rescued. An SUV belonging to her husband was
recovered and an undisclosed large sum of money found on Chioma was also
recovered by the vigilante.
community’s local vigilante led by their chairman, Innocent Anokwute, who later
handed her over to the police at SCID. Five children including a new born baby
kidnapped for sale were also rescued. An SUV belonging to her husband was
recovered and an undisclosed large sum of money found on Chioma was also
recovered by the vigilante.
P.M.News gathered from the
residents the community that there has been frequent disappearnce of children
in the area which became of serious concern to the community leaders.
This year alone the community has
recorded a number of missing children. On 30 of March this year, Dominion
Obasi, a pupil of Ezioha Community School, Okporo was kidnapped in the school
premise and since then, he has not been found.
recorded a number of missing children. On 30 of March this year, Dominion
Obasi, a pupil of Ezioha Community School, Okporo was kidnapped in the school
premise and since then, he has not been found.
While the community was searching
for him, a son of a Deeper Life church pastor was also kidnapped and is still
missing.
for him, a son of a Deeper Life church pastor was also kidnapped and is still
missing.
As if that was not enough, a man
called Femi lost his six-year-old son and the boy has not been found since
then.
called Femi lost his six-year-old son and the boy has not been found since
then.
Recently, two sons of the same
parents, identified as Chukwuemeka and Chigozie, pupils of Holy Trinity
Anglican School, Amazu in Okporo were abducted while returning home from
school.
parents, identified as Chukwuemeka and Chigozie, pupils of Holy Trinity
Anglican School, Amazu in Okporo were abducted while returning home from
school.
As the abductors were trying to
escape with them on their motorcycle, a palm wine tapper who saw the two men,
while on top of a palm tree, raised the alarm which attracted the attention of
vigilantes who pursued them and apprehended one of the suspects identified as
Ebuka.
escape with them on their motorcycle, a palm wine tapper who saw the two men,
while on top of a palm tree, raised the alarm which attracted the attention of
vigilantes who pursued them and apprehended one of the suspects identified as
Ebuka.
It was Ebuka’s confession that led
to the arrest of Chioma. Ebuka mentioned Chioma and her husband as their
sponsors who buy each child from them for N100,000. The couple then sells the
children for higher amount to make profit.
to the arrest of Chioma. Ebuka mentioned Chioma and her husband as their
sponsors who buy each child from them for N100,000. The couple then sells the
children for higher amount to make profit.
The vigilantes asked Ebuka to show
them where their sponsors reside in the area and he took them to a house
belonging to an indigiene who resides in Lagos identified as Nicholas Okeke.
them where their sponsors reside in the area and he took them to a house
belonging to an indigiene who resides in Lagos identified as Nicholas Okeke.
The house served as the couple’s
residence as well as where they kept the stolen children before selling them.
residence as well as where they kept the stolen children before selling them.
According to the vigilantes, when
Chioma’s husband, Emeka sighted them, he escaped through the back door while
Chioma was caught and forced to open the doors to their apartment where the
victims were found inside a room.
Chioma’s husband, Emeka sighted them, he escaped through the back door while
Chioma was caught and forced to open the doors to their apartment where the
victims were found inside a room.
During her confession, she
revealed that human trafficking was the business she and her husband, Emeka,
have been doing for years.
revealed that human trafficking was the business she and her husband, Emeka,
have been doing for years.
She said her job was to keep the
victims while her husband contacted buyers and sold them.
victims while her husband contacted buyers and sold them.
She also confessed that they have
sold more than 19 children and the remaining five were yet to be sold before
her arrest.
sold more than 19 children and the remaining five were yet to be sold before
her arrest.
The vigilantes transferred Chioma
and the rescued victims to SCID Owerri under a department led by Supol Obi.
and the rescued victims to SCID Owerri under a department led by Supol Obi.
When our correspondent visited
Okporo in Orlu where the incident happened, the residents confirmed the incident
and said the matter has been taken over by the police at SCID Owerri.
Okporo in Orlu where the incident happened, the residents confirmed the incident
and said the matter has been taken over by the police at SCID Owerri.
The traditional prime minister of
Okporo comprising three autonomous communities in Orlu, Chief Victor Udensi,
said that there was high crime rate in the communities, including child theft.
Okporo comprising three autonomous communities in Orlu, Chief Victor Udensi,
said that there was high crime rate in the communities, including child theft.
He said because of the challenge,
they called a security meeting and beefed up security in the area.
they called a security meeting and beefed up security in the area.
He said now the crime rate has
reduced because of the drastic actions they have taken over time.
reduced because of the drastic actions they have taken over time.
At the time of filing this report,
our correspondent was on his way to Owerri , Imo State capital where the
suspects are to be paraded by the police.
our correspondent was on his way to Owerri , Imo State capital where the
suspects are to be paraded by the police.
Emeka’s office where agents bring
stolen children for sale
stolen children for sale
The house where the couple kept
stolen children for sale
stolen children for sale
Emeka Anoruo, husband of Chioma
who is on the run
who is on the run
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