Police rescue kidnapped victims and recover stolen children in coordinated Imo State operations.
Owerri, Nigeria — Police in Imo State have announced the successful rescue of 58 kidnapped victims and 42 stolen children during coordinated security operations aimed at dismantling networks responsible for kidnapping and human trafficking across the region.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Henry Okoye, the spokesperson for the command, said the operations were carried out by tactical units working alongside intelligence teams.
The coordinated actions targeted criminal elements operating across the state’s 27 local government areas. Victims were found in multiple locations, some held for ransom and others trafficked across state lines.
Police Operations Disrupt Human Trafficking and Kidnapping Syndicates
According to police reports, these operations resulted not only in the safe recovery of victims but also in the arrest of more than 2,700 suspects connected to armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and terrorism.
Officers also seized firearms, explosives, and other weapons during the raids, weakening the operational strength of the criminal syndicates.
Several victims, particularly children, were found in circumstances tied to ongoing human trafficking cases spanning southeastern Nigeria.
Authorities confirmed that all those rescued have now been reunited with their families.
Police Reinforce Commitment Against Child Trafficking after Rescue of 58 kidnapped victims
The recovery of 42 children underscores the persistent threat of child trafficking in parts of the state. Law enforcement agencies said their efforts remain focused on tracking and dismantling these networks to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable populations.
DSP Henry Okoye reaffirmed the police command’s commitment to strengthening public safety measures and encouraged community members to continue reporting suspicious activities through official channels.
Efforts to combat human trafficking and related crimes remain ongoing, as outlined in recent police briefings on rescued victims across the region.
