Police rescue three-year-old girl stolen in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old girl in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area, following reports of conspiracy, child theft, and illegal harbouring.

The child was allegedly stolen by Chioma Anioma, an apprentice in the victim’s household. After realising police were closing in, Chioma reportedly sold the child and fled to Calabar, Cross River State, to evade arrest.

The girl was abducted in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area, but was rescued in Nnobi, Idemili LGA, after being sold.

This information was released in a press statement by the Anambra State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Saturday.
Ikenga confirmed that officers from the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, recovered the child in the early hours of Friday through persistent, intelligence-led operations. The child has since been safely 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.”

Previously, PUNCH Online reported on November 10, that the Anambra State Police Command had rescued a three-year-old boy and arrested six members of a child theft and trafficking syndicate operating across
Anambra, Enugu, and Lagos states.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed that the command began investigating a child theft report received on September 4, 2025.

Swift action led by officers from the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka resulted in the arrest of the prime suspect, Samuel Ibe. His confession subsequently led to the arrest of his mother, Agatha Ejeweh (35), and younger brother, Ejeweh Chigozie Chidera (15).