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Niger police arrest 11 suspects for child trafficking

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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

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“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.

See also  Our son was tortured in police custody, died – Family

“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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NAPTIP rescues 15 from suspected online traffickers in Nasarawa

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 15 persons, including foreign nationals, after uncovering a suspected human trafficking syndicate allegedly operating under the guise of an online marketing company in Nasarawa State.

The rescue followed an operation by the agency in Keffi and Karu local government areas based on credible intelligence about suspicious activities linked to fraudulent online marketing operations.

NAPTIP disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday via its X handle.

It said the operation was conducted on May 7, 2026, by officers of its Investigation Department and the Intelligence and International Cooperation Unit.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that fifteen (15) persons comprising four (4) female victims and eleven (11) male victims were found at the location. Among the male victims, three (3) were identified as Nigerians, while others are foreign nationals.

“Findings indicate that the suspects allegedly operated under the guise of an online marketing company to recruit and harbour unsuspecting persons in conditions suspected to be connected to human trafficking, cyber-related exploitation, and other organised criminal activities,” the statement read.

NAPTIP described the development as a serious security and humanitarian concern, citing the deceptive recruitment methods allegedly used by the traffickers and the vulnerability of victims to exploitation.

It said investigations were ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network and arrest other collaborators linked to the syndicate.

The agency also reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking and urged members of the public to report suspicious recruitment activities and movements within their communities to relevant authorities.

See also  Our son was tortured in police custody, died – Family

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Police nab two suspected vandals at accident scene in Akwa Ibom 

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Officers of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have apprehended suspected vandals in connection with the looting and theft of items from a truck involved in an accident along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

A statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Monday said the suspects were arrested on Sunday, while vandalising and stealing from a truck that had fallen into a valley at the Afaha community located along the Highway.

According to the statement, the operatives, after credible intelligence, mobilised to the scene and arrested one Adamu Hamza, aged 19, and a native of Maiduguri, Borno State, who was found in possession of four suspected stolen truck tyres.

In a follow-up operation, they also arrested the tricycle operator, one Anthony James, who was allegedly used to convey the stolen items from the scene.

The statement reads in part, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the arrest of suspected vandals involved in the looting and theft of items from an accidented truck along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

“On 10th May, 2026, at about 22:00 hours, Operatives of the Command acted swiftly on credible intelligence received through a tricycle operator regarding the activities of criminal elements vandalizing and stealing from a truck that had fallen into a valley at Afaha along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

“Acting promptly on the information, Police operatives mobilized to the scene and successfully arrested one Adamu Hamza ‘M’, aged 19, a native of Maiduguri, in possession of four suspected stolen truck tyres, with the value yet to be ascertained.

See also  Our son was tortured in police custody, died – Family

“Further investigation led to the arrest of the tricycle operator, one Anthony James, who was allegedly used to convey the stolen items from the scene.”

DSP John, who disclosed that the suspects are currently in Police custody, noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices connected to the criminal act.

She stated that the commissioner of police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has warned all criminal elements to desist from looting accident scenes, and has also reiterated the command’s commitment to strengthening its surveillance and deploying intelligence-driven policing strategies to safeguard lives and property across the state.

She called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, urging them to remain law-abiding and security-conscious at all times.

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One injured, residents flee as gunmen attack Rivers security outfit

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Gunmen have opened fire on the head office of a local security outfit, codenamed OSPAC, at Erema Street in Omoku town, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, injuring one officer. OSPAC is the acronym for Onelga Security and Peace Advisory Committee.

It was gathered that the incident which occurred at about 8:10pm on Saturday night caused pandemonium as residents and passersby scampered for safety.

Though the reason for the attack could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the assailants rode on two cars, one of which was an ash-coloured Lexus Jeep.

Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the security outfit in Rivers State, Godknows Nkem, said its office is a place where people come to lodge various complaints.

Nkem, however, expressed surprise how the gunmen drove into the office and started shooting indiscriminately, leaving one of its personnel with an ankle injury.

He stated, “At that hour of the day, the gunmen drove in and started shooting sporadically. Nobody died, but one of our personnel sustained a bullet injury on his ankle. Our station guards later repelled the attack.

“The fear of OSPAC is the beginning of wisdom in the entire Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and Rivers State at large. Just that for the past eight months we came on board, our welfare has not been catered for. We have been struggling to survive.”

The state OSPAC image maker however urged residents of ONELGA to be law abiding and go about their normal activities without fear and assured that the perpetrators will be fished out.

See also  Kebbi woman arrested for kidnapping friend’s son for N5m

When contacted on Sunday afternoon, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the attack on the vigilante office, saying investigation is ongoing.

Agabe stated, “I can confirm the incident. No arrest for now because the incident happened late in the night, but investigation is ongoing to unmask the identities of the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to justice.”

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