A woman, who engages in human trafficking in Okporo, Orlu town in Imo State, has been arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation Department, SCID of the Imo State Police Command.

The woman, Chioma Anoruo, who admitted to the crime, said she and her husband, Emeka, who is now at large, have kidnapped and sold over 19 children, adding that they have been in the business of trafficking for a long time.

A group of vigilante in the community, led by their chairman, Innocent Anokwute, arrested the suspect and later handed her over to men of the SCID.

Upon Chioma’s arrest, five children, including a new born baby abducted for sale, were rescued and an SUV belonging to the suspect’s husband with a large sum of money was recovered by the community vigilante.

Reports say residents of the community have been thrown into a state of confusion following the frequent disappearance of children in the area.

According to the residents, the community has recorded a number of missing children this year alone.

Two men, who were working in partnership with Chioma, while attempting to escape with some of the kidnapped children on their motorcycle, were sighted by a palm wine tapper, who raised the alarm which attracted the attention of vigilantes who chased the suspects and caught one of them.

The suspect, Ebuka, in his confession, said Chioma and her husband as their sponsors, adding that they purchase each child from them at the rate of N100,000 which they later resell at a higher amount so as to make profit.

Chioma’s husband, on sighting the vigilante group, escaped through the back door while Chioma was apprehended and forced to open the doors to their apartment where the victims were found.

She said her job was to keep the victims while her husband contacted buyers, adding that they have sold over 19 children and the remaining five were yet to be sold before her arrest.

The vigilantes consequently handed Chioma and the rescued victims over to the SCID, Owerri for further investigation.