The Ondo State Police Command has rescued a 4-year-old girl who was sold for ₦3.7 million by a child-trafficking syndicate said to be operating across Ondo, Delta, and Anambra states.
Police spokesperson, SP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday, describing it as “a major breakthrough in the command’s fight against human trafficking.”
The case began after one Sunday Kingsley of Alagbaka Extension, Akure, reported that his daughter, Jesinta, went missing while in the care of her mother, Sunday Happiness. The matter was initially taken to the Family Magistrate Court, where some suspects were remanded before later being granted bail.
A breakthrough came when Kingsley said he spotted the child in Asaba, Delta State. Acting on the tip-off, detectives from the Gender Desk Team of the command recovered the girl and reunited her with her family.
During the rescue operation, police arrested 30-year-old Amaka Chukwuemeka, who allegedly confessed to buying the child for ₦3.7 million. She also mentioned others in the syndicate who reportedly helped with forged adoption documents.
The police said further arrests have been made, uncovering what they described as “a well-organised trafficking network” operating across three states.
SP Olayinka assured that the command would continue investigations until every member of the syndicate is arrested and prosecuted.
“Ondo State cannot and will not be a safe haven for child traffickers or any criminal syndicate,” he said.
