Enugu Doctor in Police Net Over Alleged Child Trafficking, Forgery

A medical doctor operating in Enugu state, South East Nigeria, Dr Emmanuel Ugwumba, is in police net over alleged child trafficking and forgery.

The development is contained in a release by the spokesperson for the state police command, Daniel Ndukwe, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, Dr Ugwumba was arrested by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad on September 28 following intelligence reports that he is involved in child trafficking.

The statement added that more details will be unfolded subsequently.

“The suspect was arrested following credible intelligence that linked him to a child trafficking network. Investigations are ongoing, and more details will be provided as the case progresses.

“His arrest followed the interception of a public notice on an abandoned child he made, endorsed in the name of the Enugu State Ministry of Gender and Social Development as the director of OTZ, and published in the Daily Sun Newspaper of September 27, 2024.

“Upon his arrest, he was found to be involved in child trafficking with one pregnant woman, the four-year-old child, and another two-year-old child, both female, being rescued," the statement explained. 

Dr Ugwumba, who runs Chima Hospital and Maternity at Ugbaike Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North council area of the state, is said to be a graduate of Medicine and Surgery, University of Jos.

The statement also alleged that between 2017 and 2024, he conspired with certain members of staff of an unnamed state ministry, and others at large, to conduct ante-natal care and delivery of seven yet-to-be-traced children from different mothers in the hospital.

In addition, Dr Ugwumba allegedly had in his possession different documents belonging to the Ministry of Gender Affairs, including unverified pest/vector certificates from the state Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources.

“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 ante-natal care and delivery of seven yet-to-be-traced children from different mothers in the hospital.

“The suspect was also found with different documents from the Ministry of Gender Affairs and unverified pest/vector certificates from the Enugu State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources.”