OGUN POLICE DISMANTLE CHILD TRAFFICKING SYNDICATE: 7 CHILDREN RESCUED, 5 SUSPECTS ARRESTED, ₦1.5 MILLION PER BABY SALES RACKET EXPOSED
Distinguished members of the press, good morning and thank you for your presence. The Ogun State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against child trafficking and related crimes, and this briefing is to officially present the details of the operation and ongoing investigations to the public.
The Ogun State Police Command has successfully dismantled an organized child trafficking and illegal surrogacy syndicate operating under the guise of an orphanage facility. This breakthrough was achieved by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department following the transfer of the case from Idanyin Divisional Headquarters. In the course of the operation, seven children were rescued and five principal suspects were arrested, exposing a planned sale of babies at the rate of ₦1.5 million per child.
The case began on 28th November, 2025, when one Amara reported the abduction of her six-year-old son, Samuel Honesty, at Idanyin Divisional Headquarters. Preliminary investigations led to the arrest and prosecution of Chioma Honest and Praise Honesty for suspected foul play. Following the report, the case was transferred to the SCID for in-depth investigation. On 21st January, 2026, the abducted child was dropped at Gowon Police Station, Lagos State, where he stated that he had been taken to Joyful Kids Orphanage, Badagry, and identified Madam Joy as the operator of the facility.
Acting on this intelligence, operatives conducted a coordinated operation at the orphanage, rescuing six additional children and bringing the total number of rescued minors to seven. The rescued children include Ramsey Chiedozie (8 years), Rafael Rofiu (6 years), Kazeem Chiedozie (6 years), Segun Uthman (9 years), Ola Abdulhakeem Abdulrasheed (9 years), David Oyelese (9 years), and Samuel Honesty (6 years). We wish to emphasize that Samuel Honesty has been safely and happily reunited with his mother, Amara, bringing closure to a traumatic experience and restoring the family unit.
During the operation, two pregnant young women, Tanimola Martins (18 years) and Favour Martins (18 years), were discovered within the facility. They confessed that they were recruited to carry pregnancies with the intention of selling their babies to pre-arranged buyers upon delivery, at a fee of ₦1.5 million per child, facilitated by the orphanage operator.
The principal suspect, Joy Chiedozie (36 years), also known as Madam Joy, was arrested at the orphanage. She confessed to purchasing the abducted child for ₦1.5 million, paying ₦900,000 in cash and ₦600,000 via bank transfer to a woman known as Kelly, and subsequently selling the child to one Mr. Emmanuel, who is currently at large. Further investigation revealed that Yusuf Adebowale (31 years), the orphanage driver, also acted as an uncertified surrogate agent, facilitating illegal surrogacy arrangements and connecting pregnant girls with prospective buyers. Other suspects arrested include Martins Favour (18 years), Tanimola Martins (18 years), and Rachael Chiedozie (16 years).
The other six rescued children have been formally handed over to the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for protective custody, welfare assessment, and family tracing. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend Mr. Emmanuel and other buyers in the trafficking network, trace Kelly and the financial transactions, identify additional victims and accomplices, and dismantle the wider child trafficking syndicate.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterates its zero tolerance for child trafficking, illegal adoption, and exploitation of vulnerable children and young women. Members of the public are urged to report suspicious orphanage operations, illegal adoption practices, and human trafficking activities to the nearest police station. The Command remains committed to safeguarding lives, protecting vulnerable citizens, and upholding the rule of law.
CP LANRE OGUNLOWO Ph.D
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
OGUN STATE COMMAND
ELEWERAN, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE.
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