Niger police arrest 11 suspects for child trafficking

File: Police Officers

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The Niger State police command has arrested 11 suspects in connection with their roles in the trafficking of some children in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, Wasiu Abiodun, who made this known to Arewa PUNCH on Tuesday via his crime bulletin, said the arrest is in continuation of an investigation of an alleged abduction and child trafficking offence brought to the office.

Abiodun further revealed that three additional children were rescued and three more suspects had been arrested.

The Command’s spokesman gave the names of the three suspects as Chioma Onyanja, 45 years, of Nyanya, Abuja; Joy Ndife, 48 years, of Kurudu area, Abuja; and Olusegun Isaiah Anjorin, 44 years, of Orozo area of Abuja.

He also gave the names of the three trafficked children as Saifullahi Abdulmumini, five months old; Possible Danlami, four years old, and Safiya Mamman Sani, one year and six months.

He said all the trafficked children who were found in the custody of the suspected receivers were taken away from Gajere and Tafa around September 2025.

Abiodun narrated: “In continuation of the investigation into the case of alleged abduction and child trafficking referred to the SCID Minna for discreet investigation, involving one Mrs. Victoria Ebunoha Chukwumezie, who was arrested around Dikko junction on November 5, 2025.

“Three additional suspects were arrested by the police operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit in connection with the case on November 28, 2025, within the Nasarawa and Abuja axis.

“The three additional suspects are as follows: Chioma Onyanja, 45 years, of Nyanya, Abuja; Joy Ndife, 48 years, of Kurudu area, Abuja; and Olusegun Isaiah Anjorin, 44 years, of Orozo area of Abuja

“In the course of the investigation, three children were rescued. They are: Saifullahi Abdulmumini, five months old; Possible Danlami, four years old, and Safiya Mamman Sani, one year and six months – all found in the custody of the suspected receivers and were taken away from Gajere, Tafa, within September 2025.

“Saifullahi, five months old, was found at the residence of one Chioma, who claimed that she got the child sometime in August 2025 through her pastor, one Evangelist Rosemary operating Divine Majesty Church, Nyanya, Abuja.

“Rosemary claimed the child belonged to a student who was desperate to give out the child for adoption and convinced Chioma, who paid N2.7 million for the child.

“Possible, four years old was traced to the residence of one Mrs Joy, who claimed that she operates an orphanage home and a children’s school called ‘Emmavies’ located around the Mararaba area of Nasarawa State.

“She stated that Victoria, the prime suspect, came to her house in early September 2025 and advertised a baby whom she claimed was unwanted by her mother, and as Joy couldn’t afford the child, she planned to facilitate the sale of the child to another unsuspecting mother when she was arrested.

“Safiya Sani, a one-year-and-six-month-old, was rescued from the residence of one Pastor Olusegun of Covenant Fulfilment Ministry, Masaka, Nasarawa State, who claimed to also operate Elohim Orphanage and Benevolent Care Centre, Oroz,o Abuja.

“He revealed that Victoria came to the orphanage on September 11, 2025, with the child stating that the child belonged to a young girl who had abandoned the baby in her care and with no means to locate her, while adding that she was facing financial hardship and was in need of help to cater to her and other six children. After negotiation, the pastor paid N1 million for the baby.

“All three children were successfully rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their parents, making a total of nine recovered children found at various locations and 11 suspects in custody,” Abiodun said.

He gave the names of the rescued children as: Muhammadu Hussaini – four years, Kasimu Saidu –  four years, Idris Saidu – two years, Ummi Kairi Salisu – three years, Goodnews Sunday – four years,

Rahmat Mohammed – two years, Saifullahi Abdulmumini – five months, Safiya Mamman Sani – one year and six months and Possible Danlami – four years.

The names of the 11 suspects arrested are:

Victoria Chukwumezie, 40 years, ‘f’; Harrieta Obiakor, 50 years, ‘f’; Divine Sunday, 43 years, ‘f’;

Rosemary Ogbulogo, 46 years, ‘f’; Vincent Emmanuel, 41 years ‘m’; Rose Nwabufor, 70 years, ‘f’; Chioma Onyanja, 45 years, ‘f’; Joy Ndife, 48 years, ‘f’; Olusegun Isaiah Anjorin, 44 years, ‘m’; Leo Ugochukwu, 55 years, ‘m’; and Ngozi Ugochukwu, 45 years, ‘f’.”

The commander’s spokesman said further investigations were ongoing to recover other missing and trafficked children and possibly arrest the other receivers or facilitators.

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