The police said the victims were later sighted at a building located along Emma Pigin Road, Aguleri.
The Anambra State government has condemned an alleged case of child trafficking and sexual exploitation of 35 underage children trafficked from Ebonyi State.
The minors had been discovered and rescued in a brothel in the Aguleri area of Anambra State.
SaharaReporters on January 7, 2026, reported that the Anambra State Police Command said its operatives busted a suspected child trafficking syndicate, arresting one female suspect and rescuing 33 underage girls in the Aguleri of Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made the development in a statement where he said the incident occurred on Wednesday.
Ikenga said the discovery and the rescue was carried out by officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, following a distress report received through the Command’s Control Room.
According to Ikenga, the report was filed by relatives of three missing children identified as 14-year-old Divine Mbam, 15-year-old Nwagu Favour, and 18-year-old Oke Blessing, who were allegedly abducted in Ebonyi State on September 26, 2025, and taken to an unknown location.
The police said the victims were later sighted at a building located along Emma Pigin Road, Aguleri.
Acting on the information, police operatives stormed the location and arrested a 37-year-old woman, identified as Ifeoma Success Anthony.
During the operation, a total of 33 underage girls were rescued from the premises.
Ikenga stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the building is allegedly being used as a hub for child trafficking and prostitution.
He said the property is said to be owned by one 45-year-old Mrs Ngozi Nnanyelugo, who is currently at large.
Reacting to the incident in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, the state government said the children were reported missing since October 2025 and were allegedly being used as sex workers, describing the claims as disturbing and unacceptable.
The state government stated that it “abhors, condemns, and will not tolerate any form of child trafficking, sexual exploitation, or abuse of minors under any circumstance,” stressing that the alleged acts constitute a grave violation of human dignity, moral decency, and Nigerian laws.
According to Mefor, the allegations, if proven, would amount to serious breaches of the Child Rights Act, which has been domesticated in Anambra State, the Criminal Code, and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA).
“The TIPPEA Act criminalises all forms of child trafficking, sexual exploitation, and forced prostitution,” the government noted, adding that the Child Rights Act expressly prohibits the use of children for sexual activities, forced labour, or any form of exploitation, while prescribing severe penalties for offenders.
The information commissioner disclosed that the state government has directed relevant security agencies and regulatory authorities to immediately investigate the allegations, establish the facts, protect the affected minors, and ensure that all individuals or syndicates involved are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He said the government has also ordered that any facilities found to be involved in such activities be sealed in the interest of public safety.
Warning perpetrators, the government said operators of such “modern-day travesty” within Anambra State would face the full weight of the law, assuring residents and visitors that public safety remains a top priority.
The state government further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, encouraging citizens to report suspicious activities through the state’s emergency line, 5111, while guaranteeing confidentiality.
Mefor reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons, particularly children, and strengthening lawful measures to prevent abuse and exploitation.