Ondo Police recover stolen child sold for ₦3.7m

…traffickers arrested

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Ondo State Police Command has rescued a missing four-year-old girl and uncovered a child-trafficking syndicate operating across Ondo, Delta, and Anambra States.

Police said the case began on February 3, 2025, when Sunday Kingsley of Alagbaka Extension, Akure, reported that his daughter, Jesinta, went missing while staying with her mother, Sunday Happiness.

A statement with Ref. No. AZ:5280/ONS/PPRO/VOL.1/298, and signed by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, stated that detectives intensified the investigation after the case was charged to court, which initially remanded Happiness and another woman, Nneka Onah, but granted bail to both later.

A breakthrough came on July 9, 2025, when the complainant sighted his daughter in Asaba, Delta State. The Gender Desk Team swung into action, rescued the child, and returned her safely to Akure.

The operation also led to the arrest of 30-year-old Amaka Chukwuemeka, who confessed she bought the child for ₦3.7 million. She said her friend, Chinaza Owoh, introduced her to 58-year-old Mabel Esimai, who handed over the girl with forged adoption papers.

Further arrests revealed that Esimai received the child from another woman, Chioma Okechukwu, with instructions to find a buyer. Police said the findings exposed a syndicate with networks across three states.

Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal, however, commended the Gender Desk Team for their swift action.