Police bust child trafficking ring, rescue nine children, arrest 11

The Niger State Police Command has arrested 11 individuals in connection with child trafficking and successfully rescued nine children in different locations across the state.

Spokesperson for the command, Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the arrests and rescues are part of ongoing investigations into an abduction and child trafficking case referred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna.

He revealed that three additional children were recently rescued and three more suspects arrested in the Nasarawa and Abuja areas.

The newly arrested suspects are Chioma Onyanja, 45, of Nyanya, Abuja; Joy Ndife, 48, of Kurudu, Abuja; and Olusegun Isaiah Anjorin, 44, of Orozo, Abuja.

The rescued children include Saifullahi Abdulmumini, five months old; Possible Danlami, four years old; and Safiya Mamman Sani, one year and six months old. All three were taken from Gajere and Tafa in September 2025. Saifullahi Abdulmumini was found at the residence of Chioma Onyanja, who claimed she obtained the child in August 2025 through Evangelist Rosemary of Divine Majesty Church, Nyanya, Abuja.

Rosemary reportedly told Chioma the child belonged to a student seeking adoption, and Chioma paid N2.7 million for the baby.

Possible Danlami was traced to the home of Joy Ndife, who operates an orphanage and children’s school called “Emmavies” in Mararaba, Nasarawa State. Joy stated that the prime suspect, Victoria Chukwumezie, brought the child to her in early September 2025, claiming the baby was unwanted. Joy intended to facilitate the sale of the child before she was arrested.

Safiya Mamman Sani was rescued from Pastor Olusegun Isaiah of Covenant Fulfilment Ministry, Masaka, Nasarawa State, who runs Elohim Orphanage and Benevolent Care Centre in Oroz, Abuja.

The pastor explained that Victoria brought the child, claiming she was abandoned by a young girl and that he paid N1 million for the baby.

The other six rescued children are Muhammadu Hussaini, four years old; Kasimu Saidu, four years old; Idris Saidu, two years old; Ummi Kairi Salisu, three years old; Goodnews Sunday, four years old; and Rahmat Mohammed, two years old. All nine children have been safely reunited with their families.

The 11 suspects currently in custody are Victoria Chukwumezie, 40; Harrieta Obiakor, 50; Divine Sunday, 43; Rosemary Ogbulogo, 46; Vincent Emmanuel, 41; Rose Nwabufor, 70; Chioma Onyanja, 45; Joy Ndife, 48; Olusegun Isaiah Anjorin, 44; Leo Ugochukwu, 55; and Ngozi Ugochukwu, 45. Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing to locate other missing children and apprehend additional suspects involved in the trafficking network.