In a decisive move against human trafficking in Niger State, the Niger State Police Command has successfully rescued six children from a syndicate operating across different parts of the state over the past month. Among those arrested is a couple found in possession of two of the trafficked children, highlighting the ongoing fight against child exploitation in the region.
During a recent operation, police operatives attached to the Tafa Division intercepted 40-year-old Usman Adamu of Sabon-Wuse in the Angwan-Katampe area. Adamu was found with four children—Khalid Ilyasu (7), Sadiq Ilyasu (11), Ahmed Ilyasu (5), and Sadiq Idris (5)—all hailing from Sabon-Wuse. Tensions ran high as residents who gathered at the scene reportedly attempted to attack the suspect. However, law enforcement quickly intervened, ensuring the safety of both the children and the suspect, who was taken into custody for further investigation.
Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, the Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, confirmed that during interrogation, Usman Adamu disclosed that an unidentified woman had asked him to procure the children in exchange for a promised financial reward. Police are currently working to identify and apprehend the woman while continuing their investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna.
In a related development, Leonard Ugochukwu (55) and Nhozi Ugochukwu (45), a couple residing in Kurudu, Abuja, were arrested for abducting two children—Goodnews Sunday (4) and Ummikari Bello (3). Investigations revealed that the children were reportedly sold for N1.1 million each, with an additional registration fee of N100,000, bringing the total to N2.3 million. The couple further disclosed that they had acquired the children through one Okpalaye Mathew Ibrahim, an employee at a local hospital. Authorities are actively working to identify other suspects and recover additional children affected by this network.
These arrests follow a previous operation involving the apprehension of Victoria Ebunoha Chukwumezie (40) of Nyanya, Abuja, who was caught at Diko Junction with three children abducted from Lambata, Niger State. Investigations indicated her involvement in similar activities across Tafa, Suleja, and Madalla, ultimately leading police operatives to the Ugochukwu couple in Kurudu, Abuja, on November 11, 2025.
Superintendent Abiodun reassured the public that the Niger State Police Command remains resolute in its mission to dismantle human trafficking networks and ensure the safe return of abducted children, emphasizing that all efforts are being intensified to bring perpetrators to justice and protect vulnerable children in the state.
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