Authorities in Abuja have thwarted a child trafficking operation and arrested four individuals, including a church leader, following a swift police response in the early hours of Saturday.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said it received a distress alert around 2:00 am from Wazobia Motor Park in Gwagwalada, where a man was acting suspiciously while attempting to travel with a young boy.
According to a statement by police spokesperson Josephine Adeh, operatives from the emergency response team acted immediately and detained the suspect, identified as Isreal Ajah.
He was caught trying to board a vehicle heading to Owerri, Imo State, with a seven-year-old boy.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the child was handed over to the suspect by his elder brother, one Rev. Pastor Prince Bassey Ajah, the pastor and General Overseer (Daddy G.O.) of Wells of Salvation Church located in Byazhin Across. Pastor Prince Ajah was promptly arrested alongside two other accomplices identified as Nancy Atoo and Deaconess Vera Duru,” Adeh stated.
Following further investigation, law enforcement officials conducted a search at the residence of Nancy Atoo.
There, they found another victim: a four-year-old girl known only as ‘Mercy,’ a name assigned to her by the suspects.
Adeh added, “A search conducted at the residence of Nancy Atoo led to the rescue of a second victim, a 4-year-old girl identified only as ‘Mercy’, a name given to her by the suspect.”
“No documentation or identifying information was found for the child, who is currently in protective custody as efforts are underway to trace her biological family. While Muktar has since been reunited with his family.”
The investigation revealed that both children were being trafficked for sale in Owerri.
The suspects allegedly admitted to planning to sell seven-year-old Muktar Hassan for ₦1.2 million, with Deaconess Vera Duru orchestrating the deal.
“Further investigation revealed that both children were being trafficked to Owerri for sale.”
“The suspects confessed that Muktar Hassan was to be sold for ₦1.2 million through arrangements facilitated by Deaconess Vera Duru,” Adeh disclosed.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ajao Adewale, praised the vigilance of the motor park officials and the quick intervention by police operatives.
He also issued a warning to parents and guardians, urging them to be cautious and avoid sending minors on errands alone.
