In a major operation against human trafficking, the Anambra State Police Command has rescued thirty-three underage girls from a brothel located in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.
Operation and Investigation Details
The raid was executed on January 7, 2026, by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu. According to the police, the operation was part of an extensive investigation into cases of kidnapping, abduction, missing children, and child trafficking. The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the details of the intervention.
During the operation, police identified three girls who had been reported missing from Ebonyi State. The victims are Divine Mbam (14), Nwagu Favour (15), and Oke Blessing (18). They were abducted on September 26, 2025, and were found in a building allegedly used as a hub for child trafficking and prostitution.
Harrowing Accounts from the Victims
In a video statement, Divine Mbam, now 15, who was identified by her mother, shared a chilling account of her captivity. She revealed that she and her cousin made several attempts to escape but were caught each time. The captors then took them to a shrine where they were forced to take oaths under threats of death and madness.
The owner of the building, identified as 45-year-old Mrs. Ngozi Nnanyelugo, is currently at large. According to Divine, the woman, referred to as 'madam,' refused to release the girls until they repaid the money used to transport them from Ebonyi to Anambra. The victims were subjected to extreme exploitation, including being forced to sleep with men even during their menstrual periods.
Ongoing Efforts and Next Steps
The police have intensified efforts to apprehend the principal suspect, Mrs. Ngozi Nnanyelugo. Investigations are ongoing to unravel the full extent of the criminal network and identify other accomplices involved in the trafficking ring.
SP Ikenga Tochukwu assured the public that further developments would be communicated in due course. This case highlights the persistent challenge of child trafficking and sexual exploitation in the region and underscores the critical work of security agencies in combating these heinous crimes.
