Enugu Police Arrests Doctor for Alleged Child Trafficking and Forgery
By CHUKWUMA OFILI
- Dr. Emmanuel Ugwumba Taken Into Custody in Udenu Local Government Area
Police operatives in Enugu have arrested Dr. Emmanuel Ugwumba on serious allegations of child trafficking and forgery in Udenu Local Government Area. The arrest highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation in the region.
- Arrest Confirmation and Details
The spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Wednesday. According to Ndukwe, officers from the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad apprehended Ugwumba on September 28 after receiving credible intelligence linking him to a child trafficking network.
- Investigation Reveals Disturbing Allegations
Ndukwe detailed that Ugwumba’s arrest came after he published a public notice concerning an abandoned child, falsely endorsed in the name of the Enugu State Ministry of Gender and Social Development. The notice appeared in the Daily Sun Newspaper on September 27, 2024. Following his arrest, authorities rescued a pregnant woman and two young girls, aged four and two, believed to be victims of trafficking.
- Background of the Suspect and Hospital Management
Dr. Ugwumba, who claims to be a graduate of medicine and surgery from the University of Jos, operates Chima Hospital and Maternity located in Ugbaike Enugu-Ezike, within Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area. Investigations revealed that from 2017 to 2024, he allegedly conspired with an individual claiming to be affiliated with the ministry, conducting antenatal care and deliveries for seven children whose mothers remain untraced.
- Discovery of Forged Documents
Authorities discovered various documents bearing the insignia of the Ministry of Gender Affairs, as well as unverified pest and vector control certificates from the Enugu State Ministry of Environment during the investigation. The case remains under investigation, with the police promising to provide further details as it progresses.
This arrest underscores the critical need for vigilance and enforcement in the fight against child trafficking and exploitation in Nigeria.
