The Ondo State Police Command has successfully rescued a missing four-year-old girl and uncovered a child-trafficking network operating across Ondo, Delta, and Anambra States.
Police spokesman, Olusola Ayanlade, confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the case began on February 3, 2025, when 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 before the Family Magistrate Court, leading to the remand of both Sunday Happiness and another woman, Nneka Onah, at the Ondo Correctional Centre before they were later granted bail.
On July 9, 2025, Kingsley alerted the police after his missing daughter was sighted in Asaba, Delta State. Detectives from the Gender Desk Team swung into action and successfully rescued the child, reuniting her with her family in Akure.
Further investigations uncovered a shocking child-trafficking ring. One of the suspects, Amaka Chukwuemeka (30), confessed to purchasing the child for ₦3.7 million, facilitated by Chinaza Owoh (38), who introduced her to another woman, Mabel Esimai (58). Esimai allegedly released the child under the guise of adoption, using forged documents.
Investigators also arrested Chioma Okechukwu (37), said to have handed the child over to Esimai to find a buyer.
Commending the police team, Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal assured the public that the command is committed to rooting out criminal syndicates, warning that Ondo State will never be a safe haven for child traffickers.
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