Pregnant Woman, Children Rescued In Enugu Child Trafficking Raid, Doctor Arrested
A statement by the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, said the Command also rescued a pregnant woman and children from the suspect’s facility.
An Enugu State Magistrates’ Court has remanded one Dr. Emmanuel Chimaobi Ugwumba of Chima Hospital and Maternity located at Ugbaike Enugu-Ezike in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area for child trafficking and forgery.
Ugwumba, 52, was arrested by police personnel attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad on September 28, 2024.
A statement by the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, said the Command also rescued a pregnant woman and children from the suspect’s facility.
According to the statement, the suspect who hails from Ezimo-Agu, Udenu Local Government Area, was found to be involved in child trafficking.
Ndukwe said one pregnant woman, a four-year-old girl and a two-year-old girl were rescued.
He said, “Investigation revealed that the suspect, who claimed to be a graduate of medicine and surgery from the University of Jos, owns and manages Chima Hospital and Maternity located at Ugbaike Enugu-Ezike in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
“It was further discovered that between 2017 and 2024, he conspired with an acclaimed staff of the Ministry and others at large to conduct anti-natal care and delivery of seven yet-to-be traced children from different mothers in the hospital.”
Ndukwe added, “The suspect was also found to be in unauthorised possession of different documents from the Ministry of Gender Affairs and unverified pest/vector certificates from the Enugu State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources.”
“He was today, October 9, 2024, arraigned in court and remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centre, pending further hearing, ” the statement partly read.