Niger police rescue 3 stolen children sold for N3.7m, arrests 3 suspects including 2 pastors

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - The Niger State Police Command has arrested three more suspects, including two pastors, in connection with the child stealing and abduction case linked to a notorious human trafficker, Victoria Ebunoha Chukwumezie. 

The spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 said three additional children were rescued from the syndicate and reunited with their parents. 

The three children, including a 5 months old baby, were stolen from Gajere in Tafa Local Government Area of the state and sold to different buyers N3.7m. 

According to the PPRO, the command has so far rescued nine children stolen by the prime suspect and sold to different buyers in Abuja, Nasarawa and Delta. 

Wasiu added that eleven suspects have been arrested in connection with the case. 

“In continuation of the investigation into the case of alleged abduction and child trafficking referred to the SCID Minna for discreet investigation, involving one Mrs. Victoria Ebunoha Chukwumezie arrested around Dikko junction on 5th November 2025, three additional suspects were arrested by the police operatives of the Command's Anti-Kidnapping Unit in connection with the case on November 28, 2025 within Nasarawa and Abuja axis,” the statement read. 

"The three additional suspects are as follows; Chioma Onyanja 45yrs of Nyanya, Abuja, Joy Ndife 48yrs of Kurudu area, Abuja, Olusegun Isaiah Anjorin 44yrs of Orozo area of Abuja.

"In the course of the investigation, three children were rescued. They are; Saifullahi Abdulmumini 5 months old, Possible Danlami 4yrs old and Safiya Mamman Sani 1yr/6 months all found in the custody of the suspected receivers. Taken away from Gajere, Tafa within September, 2025.

"Saifullahi, 5 months old, was found in the residence of one Chioma who claimed that she got the child sometime in August 2025 through her pastor, one Evangelist Rosemary operating Divine Majesty Church, Nyanya Abuja. 

"Rosemary claimed the child belonged to a student who was desperate to give out the child for adoption and convinced Chioma who paid two million, seven hundred thousand naira (#2.7m) for the child.

"Possible, 4yrs old was traced to the residence of one Mrs Joy who claimed that she operates an orphanage home and a children's school called "Emmavies" located around Mararaba area of Nasarawa State. 

"She stated that Victoria, the prime suspect, came to her house early September 2025 and advertised a baby whom she claimed was unwanted by her mother, and as Joy couldn't afford the child, she planned to facilitate the sale of the child to another unsuspecting mother when she was arrested.

"Safiya Sani 1½yrs old was rescued in the residence of one Pastor Olusegun of Covenant Fulfilment Ministry, Masaka Nasarawa State who claimed to also operate Elohim Orphanage and Benevolent Care Center, Orozo Abuja. 

"He revealed that Victoria came to the orphanage on the 11th September 2025 with the child stating that the child belonged to a young girl who abandoned the baby in her care with no means to locate her, while adding that she was facing financial hardship and was in need of help to cater for her and other six children. After negotiation, the Pastor paid one million naira (N1m) for the baby.

“All three children were successfully rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their parents making a total of nine (9) recovered children found at various locations and eleven (11) suspects in custody.”

The children rescued are; Muhammadu Hussaini - 4yrs, Kasimu Saidu - 4yrs, Idris Saidu - 2yrs, Ummi Kairi Salisu - 3yrs, Goodnews Sunday - 4yrs, Rahmat Mohammed - 2yrs, Saifullahi Abdulmumini - 5 months, Safiya Mamman Sani - 1yr 6 Months, Possible Danlami - 4 yrs. 

The suspects arrested so far are; Victoria Chukwumezie 40yrs ‘f’, Harrieta Obiakor 50yrs ‘f’, Divine Sunday 43yrs ‘f’, Rosemary Ogbulogo 46yrs ‘f’, Vincent Emmanuel 41yrs ‘m’, Rose Nwabufor 70yrs ‘f’, Chioma Onyanja 45yrs ‘f’, Joy Ndife 48yrs ‘f’, Olusegun Isaiah Anjorin 44yrs ‘m’, Leo Ugochukwu 55yrs ‘m’, Ngozi Ugochukwu 45yrs ‘f’.

“However, further investigation is still ongoing to recover other missing and trafficked children and possible arrest of other receivers or facilitators.”