The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Imo State has arrested a 52-year-old orphanage operator, Tochukwu Ogaranya, and rescued five pregnant women over alleged involvement in child trafficking.
The Imo State commandant of the corps, Basil Igwebueze, made the disclosure on Saturday in Owerri while briefing journalists on recent operations carried out by the command.
Igwebueze said the suspects, including an alleged accomplice, Godwin Nnamdi, 47, were apprehended at an orphanage located in the World Bank area of the state capital, where the command believes illegal activities were being carried out.
According to him, the arrest followed a development on March 14 when an officer noticed a pregnant teenager attempting to escape from the facility, which led operatives to storm the location.
“After our personnel observed a pregnant teenager running out of the orphanage, they immediately moved in, arrested the proprietor and took the pregnant women and the newborn babies into protective custody,” he said.
The commandant described child trafficking as a serious offence and called on members of the public to always alert security agencies when they noticed suspicious movements or activities.
“Crimes like this can only be uncovered when residents cooperate with security agencies. We encourage the public to always speak up whenever they observe anything unusual,” Igwebueze added.
Reacting to the allegation, the orphanage owner, Ogaranya, denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the home was properly registered and not involved in trafficking.
However, Igwebueze said the suspects would be arraigned in court after the completion of investigations.
NSCDC arrests orphanage operator in Imo, rescues five pregnant women
