The Ondo State Police Command has successfully recovered a four year old girl who was stolen and sold for ₦3.7 million by a child trafficking syndicate.
The police operation was triggered by a report from the child’s father, Sunday Kingsley, who had been searching for his missing daughter, Jesinta.
The child’s father had reported that his daughter went missing while staying with her mother, Sunday Happiness. Following an investigation, the police discovered that the child had been spotted in Asaba, Delta State. Detectives from the Command’s Gender Desk Team quickly moved in and recovered the child, returning her safely to Akure.
The police arrested Amaka Chukwuemeka, a 30 year old woman, who bought the child for ₦3.7 million. According to the police, Amaka confessed that her friend, Chinaza Owoh, introduced her to Mabel Esimai, who handed over the child under the guise of adoption using forged documents.
Further investigations revealed a child trafficking network behind the abduction, with Mabel Esimai receiving the child from Chioma Okechukwu with instructions to find a buyer. The police are working to uncover all collaborators involved in the syndicate.
Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal commended the Gender Desk Team for their swift action and directed that investigations continue to uncover all collaborators and prosecute the suspects. “Ondo State will not be a safe haven for child traffickers or any criminal syndicate,” Lawal emphasized.
The recovered child is now safe, and the police are working to ensure that those responsible for the crime face justice. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of child trafficking in Nigeria and the need for continued efforts to prevent such crimes.
