Police operatives in Ebonyi State have arrested a man identified as Chukwudi Nwite, popularly known as “Igbaoto,” over his alleged involvement in trafficking a 16-year-old girl to Libya. Nwite is a Special Assistant on Internal Security to the Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, Mr. Ikechukwu Ogboffia.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the arrest on Thursday in Abakaliki. He explained that the incident, which occurred on October 10, came to light after the victim’s father, Mr. Johnson Agu, reported his daughter missing under suspicious circumstances.
According to Agu, Nwite visited their home in Ohoaffia Amoffia village, Ukawu community, shortly before the teenager disappeared. When enquiries were made, it was later discovered that Nwite had allegedly disguised himself as a commercial motorcycle rider, picked up the girl with her luggage at Onunworie Ohaffia in Ukawu, and transported her to Ugwulangwu in Ohaozara Local Government Area.
From Ugwulangwu, the girl reportedly boarded a bus believed to be headed toward the northern route used by human traffickers transporting victims out of the country. Police sources say she was allegedly handed over to a trafficking syndicate that facilitates irregular migration to Libya.
Ukandu noted that investigators are tracking the movement of the victim and working with relevant agencies to establish her current location. He added that the police are also probing whether the suspect acted alone or as part of a wider network linked to previous trafficking incidents in the area.
He assured that the command is committed to uncovering the full details of the case, bringing all actors involved to justice, and intensifying campaigns against human trafficking across Ebonyi communities.
The police also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, especially as traffickers increasingly disguise themselves as transporters or labour agents to lure unsuspecting young people into illegal migration schemes.