By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Eight women, including five pregnant ones, have been arrested over alleged child trafficking in Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, who disclosed this on Wednesday, said the suspects were arrested in the house of one Melvina Uju Uba during a police raid.

He said eight children, including five newly born babies, were rescued during the operation.

He listed the suspects’ names as Edna Nnadi (37), Ujunwa Nweke (25), Izuchukwu Uba (24), Chinaza Ibeh (19), Peace Okon Effiong (25) and Gift Collins (20).

Others were Chimkaso Kingsley (25), Happiness Monday (18), Chioma Okonkwo (25) and Uchechukwu Nwankwo (18).

He said: “On 26/1/2021 at about 7:am, following an intelligence report, Police operatives attached to the SIB and Area Command, Oraifite, coordinated by the Area Commander, ACP Afolabi Wilfred, raided the house of one Melvina Uju Uba, ‘f’, located opposite Nnamdi Azikiwe Orthopedic Teaching Hospital Oba in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State.

READ ALSO: Anambra official paraded by police over publication against Obiano, wife, CoS

“The place was raided following credible information that teenage girls were being impregnated and the babies sold out by human traffickers.

“During the operation, five newly born babies and three other children were rescued.

“Meanwhile, the rescued children will be handed over to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Children’s and Women’s Affairs for proper care, while effort is being intensified to apprehend other accomplices in order to bring them to justice.”