The Anambra State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into a suspected child trafficking ring following the dramatic rescue of a 37-year-old woman from an angry mob.
The suspect, identified as Anurika Nweme, was intercepted by residents and hospital staff after she allegedly infiltrated Divine Mercy Hospital, located along Eze Iweka Road in Awada, Obosi.
Caught in the Act
According to eyewitness accounts, Nweme entered the maternity ward on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 23, 2026. She was reportedly dressed in attire closely resembling a nurse’s uniform, allowing her to blend in with the medical environment.
Suspicion arose when patients and staff noticed the woman secretly filming newborn babies in the ward using a mobile device. When confronted by vigilant hospital workers, Nweme claimed she was an employee of the establishment. However, the management of Divine Mercy Hospital quickly debunked her claims, confirming she had absolutely no affiliation with the facility.
Near-Lynching and Police Intervention
As news of her true identity spread, an angry crowd rapidly gathered outside the hospital premises, threatening to mete out jungle justice. High anxieties surrounding child safety and trafficking networks in the region fueled the crowd’s volatile reaction.
A swift response by police operatives attached to the Awada Divisional Headquarters prevented a lynching. Officers managed to breach the hostile crowd, extract Nweme, and take her safely into protective custody.
Ongoing Investigation
In an official statement released on Thursday, June 25, 2026, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that the suspect is currently cooperating with law enforcement to unmask her accomplices.
“The suspect is currently in protective custody and assisting the investigating police officers in identifying others involved,” SP Ikenga stated.
The police command has urged members of the public to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, promising that further developments will be communicated as the investigation unfolds. Security awareness has also been heightened around maternal health facilities in the area following the breach.
