2-year-old stolen in Niger, sold to Abuja Pastor, rescued in Delta

The Niger State Police Command has uncovered a child-trafficking syndicate involving a pastor who allegedly specialised in abducting, trafficking, and selling children.

The breakthrough followed weeks of investigation after the arrest of a key suspect, Victoria Chukwumezie, caught at Dikko Junction with three abducted children.

Police spokesman, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said operatives traced a missing 2-year-old girl, Rahamat Mohammed, from Sabon-Wuse, Tafa, to Delta State. She was rescued in Asaba on November 24, 2025.

Investigations revealed that Chukwumezie abducted Rahamat on October 2, 2025, and sold her to a woman identified as Rosemary of Nyanya, Abuja, who then sold the child to Pastor Vincent Emmanuel of Asosi, Abuja, for N2.8 million.

The pastor later resold her to one Anthonia Nwabufor for N3.8 million, making a profit of N1.8 million.

Nwabufor, who is based in London, allegedly arranged for the child to be handed over to her mother in Asaba for onward movement abroad.

The police say six children have been recovered so far, while eight suspects linked to the trafficking ring are now in custody as investigations continue.

In a separate development, the police also arrested three suspects for conspiracy and armed robbery following a report on November 20, 2025.

A victim in the Chaichainiya area of Kaduna Road, Suleja, reported that armed robbers invaded his home and stole his motorcycle, phone, power bank, and ATM cards.

The suspects — 19-year-old Fatimah Abdullahi, 21-year-old Shuaibu Ibrahim, and 21-year-old Sagir Adam — were arrested in Kaduna and Zaria.

Police say the suspects, who work as scrap dealers at Jabi Garage, named an accomplice, Faisal, as the mastermind of the robbery. Efforts to arrest him are ongoing.