Saturday, June 27, 2026 - The Niger State Police Command has rescued four children from suspected traffickers operating under the guise of adoption and orphanage services.
Spokesperson for the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who
disclosed this in a statement on Friday, June 26, 2026 said the suspects,
Promise Chukwudi, 68, and her accomplice, Mrs Suzanna Onojekwo, 62, were
arrested for child trafficking and ritual activities.
According to the PPRO, the children were recovered on June
3, 2026, during a raid on a residence behind the old NEPA area in Suleja, where
police arrested the two women.
One of the children was found in Onojekwo’s residence on
Church Road in the same town.
The suspects claimed the children, all originally from
Karim-Lamido in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, had been lawfully
released to them by their parents between November 2025 and February 2026 for
adoption purpose.
Contrary to the suspects’ claims, several parents from Abuja, Nasarawa, and Benue States emerged to claim the children.
Mrs Chukwudi said she previously operated an orphanage known
as Precious Promise Nursery, Primary and Orphanage Home in 2022, which she
resumed in November 2025, and that she described herself as a licensed herbal
medical practitioner.
During a search of her residence, a shrine, animal skulls,
pieces of multi-coloured clothing and bird feathers, amongst other fetish
items, were discovered.
"Police operatives of the Command's State Intelligence
Department, acting on reliable information on 3rd June 2026 mobilized to a
location behind old Nepa area, Suleja where a suspected child trafficker and
ritualist was arrested, and four children between the ages of 4-7yrs were
rescued,” the statement read.
"The suspects arrested include; Mrs Promise Chukwudi 68yrs of Suleja, and her accomplice, Mrs Suzanna Onojekwo 62yrs of Church road, Suleja in whose residence one of the children was found.
"The suspects claimed that the children were released to them by their parents, all natives of Karim-Lamido in Gassol LGA of Taraba State, between the months of November to February 2026 for adoption.
"She added that she previously ran an orphanage home
called Precious Promise Nursery, Primary & Orphanage home in 2022, but
resumed operation in November 2025.
"She also claimed to be a licensed herbal medical
practitioner who provides local medicine for ailments.
"During investigations, different parents emerged from
Abuja, Nasarawa and Benue States to claim the children contrary to the
suspect's claim and in the course of searching her residence, the following
were discovered; a shrine, animal skulls, pieces of multi-coloured clothing and
bird feathers, amongst other fetish items.
"The suspects were transferred to the Police
headquarters Minna for discreet investigation and the children were handed over
to child rights agency for care, as investigation to identify the parents
continues.
“The suspects have been charged to court for prosecution
0 Comments