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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.

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“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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Hoodlums tie up couple, steal ₦4m valuables in Bauchi – Police

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Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested two suspects over their alleged involvement in a case of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking and armed robbery in Gadau community of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the suspects were arrested following an intelligence-led investigation into the incident.

According to the statement, a 28-year-old resident of Gadau Town reported the incident to the Gadau Divisional Police Headquarters on July 3, stating that the robbery occurred on June 8 at about 3:00 a.m.

The statement partly read, “On 3rd July, 2026, a 28-year-old complainant, male, resident of Gadau Town, reported at Gadau Division that on 8th June, 2026, at about 0300hrs, five unknown hoodlums armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons broke into his residence.”

It added, “According to the complainant, the hoodlums forced open his bedroom door, intimidated him and his wife with machetes, tied them up, and carted away valuables. Items stolen include one Jincheng motorcycle, five Android mobile phones, 10 sets of wrappers, the sum of ₦1,000,000 cash, one cap, and three wristwatches, all valued at about ₦4,000,000.”

The police spokesperson said detectives immediately visited the scene and launched an intelligence-led investigation, which led to the arrest of two suspects.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives visited the scene and commenced an intelligence-led investigation. As a result of diligent follow-up, two suspects were subsequently arrested.

“They are Salisu Umar, 20, of the same address, and Sadiq Shehu, 20, of Azare, Katagum Local Government Area. They underwent preliminary investigation at the Divisional Headquarters,” Habib stated.

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He further revealed that during an identification parade, the complainant’s wife identified one of the suspects.

“During an identification parade conducted, the complainant’s wife recognised and pointed out Sadiq Shehu as one of the persons who entered her room and forced her to open the main gate for the other accomplices,” he said.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the Divisional Police Officer and his team for the arrest and directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

He added that the commissioner assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, stressing that all those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that would assist security agencies in tackling criminal activities across the state.

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PHOTOS: Fake soldier arrested for allegedly robbing residents in Maiduguri

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Troops of the 7 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected impersonator accused of posing as a soldier to rob residents in the Shuwari area of Maiduguri, Borno State. Africans& Diaspora

The suspect, identified as Abdulazeez Mohammed, was apprehended at about 2:00 p.m. on July 1, 2026 following credible intelligence on his activities within the Shuwari General Area.

Security sources on Monday, July 6 said the suspect allegedly dressed in military camouflage to gain the confidence of residents before stealing mobile phones and other valuables from homes in the area.

Acting on the intelligence, troops of the 7 Division Garrison, supported by members of the CJTF, swiftly mobilised to the location and arrested the suspect without incident.

The suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing further investigation to determine the full extent of his activities and whether he is linked to any criminal syndicate.

Security authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report anyone suspected of unlawfully wearing military uniforms or engaging in suspicious activities, noting that impersonating members of the Armed Forces is a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.

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PHOTOS: Fake soldier arrested at Borno varsity suspected of acting as terrorist informant

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The 25-year-old man who was arrested while dressed in military camouflage at Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, is being investigated for possible links to criminal intelligence gathering.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama on Monday that the suspect, identified as Mubarak Mohammed, was apprehended at about 4:30 p.m. on July 1, 2026 at the university’s Njimtilo campus after his appearance in a desert camouflage uniform aroused suspicion among troops.

According to the sources, the suspect claimed during preliminary questioning that he was a newly admitted student of the university and had borrowed the military uniform from a civilian friend to attend the institution’s Career Week programme.

However, the claim quickly unraveled during interrogation.

The sources said the suspect was unable to communicate in English, failed to produce a valid student identity card, and could not access the university’s student portal on his mobile phone to verify his admission status.

Troops subsequently contacted the university management through the institution’s Systems Manager, who confirmed that the suspect was not a registered student of the university.

The university official also informed the troops that only final-year students were participating in the Career Week activities, contradicting the suspect’s claim that he had attended the event as a newly admitted student.

Security sources said the suspect is being investigated over suspicions that he may have been gathering intelligence under the guise of a soldier.

He remains in the custody of the 73 Battalion for further investigation.

Military authorities reiterated their warning against the unlawful use of military uniforms, noting that impersonating members of the Armed Forces poses a serious security threat and could be exploited by criminal and terrorist elements.

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