Police Break Child-Trafficking Ring Across Three States, Recover Missing Girl in Asaba
25th September,2025 Akure, Nigeria
In a major operation spanning three states, the Ondo State Police Command has successfully recovered a missing 4-year-old girl and dismantled a cross-border child-trafficking syndicate involving key suspects and forged adoption documents.
The operation, led by the Command’s Gender Desk Unit under the direction of Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, is in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM.
The case originated on 3rd February, 2025, when a man, Sunday Kingsley, reported his daughter, Jesinta Sunday, missing from their Alagbaka Extension residence in Akure. According to his statement, the child had been living with her mother, Sunday Happiness. Initial investigations led to the involvement of the State Command Monitoring Unit and eventual arraignment before the Family Magistrate Court. Both Sunday Happiness and one Nneka Onah were remanded at the Ondo Correctional Centre before being granted bail.
The breakthrough came months later, on 9th July, 2025, when the complainant alerted police after spotting his missing daughter in Asaba, Delta State. Reacting swiftly, detectives from the Gender Desk Unit recovered the child and returned her safely to Akure. The recovery led to the arrest of Amaka Chukwuemeka (30), who confessed to buying the child for ₦3.7 million. She further disclosed that her friend, Chinaza Owoh (38), introduced her to Mabel Esimai (58), who facilitated the adoption using forged documents.
Further investigation led to Esimai’s arrest. During questioning, she revealed that the child had been handed to her by Chioma Okechukwu (37), with instructions to find a buyer. This unmasked a well-coordinated child-trafficking syndicate with operatives across Ondo, Delta, and Anambra States, underscoring the organized and expansive nature of the criminal network.
Commending the team, CP Adebowale Lawal praised the Gender Desk detectives for their professionalism and swift response that led to both the rescue of the child and apprehension of the suspects. He emphasized that investigations are still ongoing to identify all individuals involved and ensure they are brought to justice.
The Police Command reiterated its commitment to eradicating all forms of criminal activity in the state. “Ondo State cannot and will not be a safe haven for child traffickers or any criminal syndicate,” CP Lawal stated.
