The Niger State Police Command has rescued four children from suspected traffickers operating under the guise of adoption and orphanage services.

Spokesperson for the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, June 26, 2026 said the suspects, Promise Chukwudi, 68, and her accomplice, Mrs Suzanna Onojekwo, 62, were arrested for child trafficking and ritual activities.

According to the PPRO, the children were recovered on June 3, 2026, during a raid on a residence behind the old NEPA area in Suleja, where police arrested the two women.

One of the children was found in Onojekwo’s residence on Church Road in the same town.

The suspects claimed the children, all originally from Karim-Lamido in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, had been lawfully released to them by their parents between November 2025 and February 2026 for adoption purpose.

Contrary to the suspects’ claims, several parents from Abuja, Nasarawa, and Benue States emerged to claim the children.

Mrs Chukwudi said she previously operated an orphanage known as Precious Promise Nursery, Primary and Orphanage Home in 2022, which she resumed in November 2025, and that she described herself as a licensed herbal medical practitioner.

During a search of her residence, a shrine, animal skulls, pieces of multi-coloured clothing and bird feathers, amongst other fetish items, were discovered.

“Police operatives of the Command’s State Intelligence Department, acting on reliable information on 3rd June 2026 mobilized to a location behind old Nepa area, Suleja where a suspected child trafficker and ritualist was arrested, and four children between the ages of 4-7yrs were rescued,” the statement read.

“The suspects arrested include; Mrs Promise Chukwudi 68yrs of Suleja, and her accomplice, Mrs Suzanna Onojekwo 62yrs of Church road, Suleja in whose residence one of the children was found.

“The suspects claimed that the children were released to them by their parents, all natives of Karim-Lamido in Gassol LGA of Taraba State, between the months of November to February 2026 for adoption.

“She added that she previously ran an orphanage home called Precious Promise Nursery, Primary & Orphanage home in 2022, but resumed operation in November 2025.

“She also claimed to be a licensed herbal medical practitioner who provides local medicine for ailments.

“During investigations, different parents emerged from Abuja, Nasarawa and Benue States to claim the children contrary to the suspect’s claim and in the course of searching her residence, the following were discovered; a shrine, animal skulls, pieces of multi-coloured clothing and bird feathers, amongst other fetish items.

“The suspects were transferred to the Police headquarters Minna for discreet investigation and the children were handed over to child rights agency for care, as investigation to identify the parents continues.

“The suspects have been charged to court for prosecution.”

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The police command in Lagos has arrested a man, Samson Onilewaji, 21, after he was found with body parts, firearms, and stolen items during a stop-and-search along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said the suspect was intercepted in an unregistered commercial shuttle bus carrying six occupants.

She said a search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, a point-of-sale terminal, and five ATM cards from the suspect.

“During a search of the vehicle and its occupants, the suspect, identified as Samson Onilewaji, ‘M’, aged 21 years, was found in possession of a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, one POS terminal machine, and five ATM cards,” the police command said in a statement on Friday, June 26.

Ms Adebisi said the suspect confessed after recently robbing three individuals of their personal belongings, including the recovered POS terminal and ATM cards.

She added that efforts were ongoing to identify and contact the victims to return their recovered belongings.

“Investigation is also ongoing to ascertain the identity of the owner of the recovered suspected human hand, the circumstances surrounding its possession, and its intended use,” the officer added.

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The Oyo State Police Command has debunked reports alleging that a pastor was arrested for supplying arms and ammunition to suspects involved in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command described the reports circulating on some media platforms and social media as false, misleading and unfounded.

According to the statement, a Facebook post alleged that a pastor had been arrested for acting as a gunrunner for the abductors, but failed to identify the cleric by name or address.

The police said no such arrest had been made by the command or any other security agency involved in the ongoing rescue operation.

The statement, “The attention of the Oyo State Police Command has been drawn to false and misleading reports circulating across some media outlets, online publications, and a Facebook post that has also surfaced on some other platform, alleging that a pastor was arrested for supplying arms and ammunition to individuals involved in the abduction of students and teachers in Orire.

“The Command wishes to categorically state that this claim is entirely false, misleading, and unfounded. The Facebook post, which did not mention the name or address of the pastor, further claimed that the cleric was a gun runner for the bandits. However, the Command wishes to state that no such arrest has been made by the Police or any other known security agency involved in the ongoing rescue operation, and investigation is ongoing.”

The command said it viewed the publication as a deliberate attempt to distract security operatives from ongoing rescue efforts and undermine public confidence in the security agencies.

“The Command views this publication as a deliberate attempt to distract security operatives from ongoing rescue efforts and to cast doubt on the integrity, commitment, and professionalism of personnel working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the victims,” the statement added.

It urged members of the public to disregard the report and rely only on official updates issued through the verified communication channels of the Oyo State Police Command.

“Members of the public are therefore advised to disregard the false report and rely only on official updates issued through verified channels of the Oyo State Police Command,” it added.

The police also warned individuals and platforms spreading false information to desist, noting that anyone found culpable of disseminating misinformation capable of undermining public confidence or security operations would be investigated and prosecuted.

“Furthermore, individuals and platforms involved in the deliberate spread of false information are warned to desist, as the Command will not hesitate to invoke all lawful means to identify, investigate, arrest, and prosecute anyone found culpable of disseminating misinformation capable of undermining public confidence and ongoing security operations,” the statement added.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to securing the safe rescue of the abducted victims and maintaining public safety across the state.

The Oyo State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safe rescue of the abducted victims and maintaining public safety across the State,” the statement added.

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