The Ondo State Police Command has dismantled a child trafficking syndicate operating across Ondo, Delta and Anambra states, rescuing a missing four-year-old girl in the process.
In a statement, the Command’s spokesperson DSP Olayinka Ayanlade said the case began on February 3, 2025 when one Sunday Kingsley of Alagbaka Extension, Akure reported that his daughter, Jesinta Sunday, went missing while in the care of her mother, Happiness.
Ayanlade said the matter was initially charged before the Family Magistrate Court, where the child’s mother, Sunday Happiness, and another woman, Nneka Onah, were remanded at the Ondo Correctional Centre before they were granted bail.
“A major breakthrough came on July 9, 2025 when the complainant alerted the police that the missing child had been sighted in Asaba, Delta State.
“Detectives from the Command’s Gender Desk Team swiftly swung into action, successfully rescuing the child and reuniting her with her family,” he said.
According to him, during the operation, police arrested Amaka Chukwuemeka (30), who allegedly confessed to purchasing the child for ₦3.7 million.
Ayanlade added that Chukwuemeka later disclosed that her friend, Chinaza Owoh (38), introduced her to Mabel Esimai (58), who handed over the child under the guise of adoption, using forged documents.
“Further investigations revealed that Esimai had obtained the child from Chioma Okechukwu (37), who instructed her to find a buyer.
“This chain of confessions exposed the activities of a well-coordinated trafficking ring operating across three states,” the police spokesman said.
The Commissioner of Police, Lawal Adebowale, commended the professionalism of the Gender Desk Team for their swift and coordinated response, which ensured both the safe recovery of the child and the arrest of key suspects.
Adebowale directed further investigations to expose all collaborators and ensure prosecution of the culprits.
The case marks the second major breakthrough for the Command in its fight against child trafficking this year.
In January, operatives of the command arrested three suspects – Lukman Isiaka (42), Abosede Olanipekun, and Sabira Izuorah (62) – who allegedly kidnapped 14 children from Ondo and Osun states.
Investigations revealed that the children were sold to Izuorah, who ran an orphanage in Ihiala, Anambra State, for as much as ₦1 million each.
Police stormed the orphanage, rescuing the victims and apprehending the suspect.
However, the police command reiterated its commitment to dismantling trafficking syndicates and protecting vulnerable children across the state.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
