The Ogun State Police Command has smashed a child trafficking syndicate allegedly led by a suspect identified as Mama Faith, who is currently in custody at the Ibara Correctional Centre and arrested three suspects.
The suspects, ThankGod Taiwo (35), Patience Chikezie (54), and Oluyinka Folake (43), were implicated in the abduction and sale of children for illegal adoption.
The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, on Monday, January 6, 2025, paraded the trio and others involved in various crimes at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
According to the CP, Taiwo was arrested at his hideout after abducting a seven-year-old girl, Mercy Akande, whom he sold to Chikezie for N650,000 at Ipaja Roundabout, Lagos.
Chikieze, arrested on 29 December at Lafenwa-Itele, led police to her residence, where the child was rescued unhurt.
According to the CP, Chikieze confessed that her buyer rejected Mercy because of her age.
Further investigations revealed that Chikieze had previously purchased a three-year-old boy, Mohees Daniel, for N250,000 and sold him for N3 million.
Chikieze also allegedly bought another child, David Jesulayomi, from Oluyinka for N1.5 million, which she attempted to sell for profit.
Both children were recovered, along with fake adoption agreements issued by Chikieze.
“She created a WhatsApp group named Prema Consult to lure unsuspecting adopters under the guise of legal child adoption,” the CP explained.
“She and her accomplices, including Taiwo and Folake, confessed to working for Mama Faith, who orchestrated the illegal operations.”
CP Ogunlowo, who assumed office three weeks ago, warned criminals in the state to desist from illegal activities or face the full weight of the law.
He urged residents to support the police with timely intelligence to combat crime effectively.
Speaking to newsmen, Chikezie, a mother of two, confessed to the crime and begged for forgiveness.
“It’s not right. I have offended man and God. I plead for mercy.”
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