The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos State, has successfully rescued five children following the arrest of a notorious child trafficking syndicate.
The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, confirmed the operation to journalists on Monday, stating that the rescued children—four boys and one girl, aged between one and six years—had been victims of a well-coordinated trafficking network.
How the Syndicate Operated
According to intelligence received by the police on January 8, 2025, the syndicate specialized in the buying and selling of newborns, toddlers, and children of various ages.
Fayoade revealed that the traffickers operated in three key roles:
- A supplier who procured the children.
- A middle person/caregiver who held onto the children before sale.
- A distributor who handed the children over to their new "owners."
"The syndicate had a strong network and rarely missed its targets, but they ran out of luck in this latest operation," Fayoade stated.
Cases of Rescued Children
- One-year-old boy: Stolen at just one week old and initially sold. He was later resold to an Italian couple, but kept in the care of the syndicate's caregiver before being recovered.
- Three-year-old boy: Sold in 2021 for ₦500,000 and found in the custody of traffickers.
- Another one-year-old boy: Sold by his biological mother in September 2024 for ₦1.5 million to a buyer in Alausa, Ikeja, but later recovered in Owerri.
- Three-year-old girl: Found in the custody of a nanny in Owerri, who claimed she was sent by her sister in California, USA.
- Six-year-old boy: Purchased by the prime suspect for ₦800,000 from Mbaise, Imo State, when he was just one week old.
How the Police Cracked the Syndicate
Led by CSP Ngozi Braide, the police team successfully rescued the children despite the traffickers’ tactics of changing their victims' identities as soon as they were sold.
The police tracked the one-year-old boy to Owerri, where he was found with a so-called nanny, who also had custody of the three-year-old girl.
The prime suspect, who bought the six-year-old boy, was also apprehended.
Next Steps
- The police are working to reunite the rescued children with their biological families.
- Further investigations are ongoing to dismantle the remaining members of the syndicate.
- The arrested traffickers will face prosecution for their crimes.
Police Warn Against Child Trafficking
The AIG Fayoade has urged parents and guardians to be extra vigilant, warning that child trafficking syndicates are highly organized and prey on vulnerable families.
The police also assured Nigerians of their continued commitment to fighting child trafficking and bringing perpetrators to justice.
