The Nigeria Police Force said that operatives of the Abia State Command raided an unregistered and illegal orphanage home quartered in a residential apartment on Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba, following a tip-off.
The Force also said that two principal suspects behind the illegal orphanage operations were apprehended during the raid, while 12 minors were rescued and handed over to the Abia State government.
Additionally, the Kogi State Command intercepted arms and ammunition from suspected gunrunners.
The Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, in a statement said the Police, through multiple and coordinated efforts in Abia and Kogi State Commands, recorded significant success in the fight against crime, with the rescue of trafficked children and the interception of illegal arms.
According to him, “Operatives of the Abia State Police Command, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two individuals, Blessing Emebo, 49, and Sunday Emebo, 42, for operating an unregistered and illegal motherless babies’ home within their residential apartment located at Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba.
“Upon intervention, the operatives discovered twelve children, ranging in age from six months to fourteen years, housed in the premises.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the children originated from various villages in the Arochukwu area. The rescued minors have been safely handed over to the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for proper care.”
Anambra Police Intercept Gunrunner, Recover Rifles Meant for Enforcing Sit-at-home
The suspects, he said, are currently under interrogation and would be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations.
In a related development, officers of the Kogi State Police Command intercepted a green-coloured Sharon vehicle that sped through a security checkpoint.
“The team engaged the bus in a hot pursuit, and the driver, upon realising he was being trailed, abandoned the bus and fled into a nearby bush. A swift cordon and search were conducted on the spot, leading to the recovery of a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, which included 5 AK-47 rifles, 8 AK-47 magazines, 283 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and 2 rounds of 7.62x59mm ammunition,” he said.
Adejobi noted that efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspect are underway, while initial intelligence suggests a possible connection to a recent armed robbery at a fuel station in Kabba, which is currently under investigation.
These developments, he said, underscore the Force’s renewed dedication to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the country.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the efforts of these gallant operatives and the cooperation of members of the public in these operations.
He said these successes reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to rid communities of crime, illegal arms, and exploitative practices against vulnerable populations.