An investigation into the abduction of two children, aged five and three, in the Waterboard area of Suleja, Niger State, on October 19, 2022, has led to the arrest of three suspected child traffickers and the rescue of ten children.
When the case was reported at the ‘B’ Division, it was suspected that a tenant who had just moved into the compound abducted the children. Then the landlord and agent who leased the apartment to the tenant were invited for interrogation and the matter was transferred to SCID Minna for discreet investigation.
The Anti-kidnapping unit of the Command trailed the suspects and arrested 20-year-old Saviour Ebuka and 25-year-old Mary Peter at Tunga-Maje via Gwagwalada area of FCT Abuja on January 20, 2023, and February 18, 2023, respectively.
“During interrogation, Saviour confessed to having conspired with one Ifeoma and Patience, both presently at large to perpetrate the act, because Ifeoma agreed to pay him and Patience two hundred and fifty thousand naira each, but she had only paid Patience while he is yet to be paid.
“He said the children were abducted and taken to Ifeoma at the same address where she had an illegal orphanage home called “Famous Kids home” but Ifeoma later left for an unknown destination and transferred the children to another person.
“The Police operatives intensified efforts on the investigation and later identified one Chinwe Egwu 49yrs of Lugbe area Abuja as the illegal custodian of the children. The team proceeded to Lugbe, where the said Chinwe was arrested on March 13, 2023,” the State Police Spokesperson, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said.
The suspect, Chinwe Egwu, oversaw one Adorable Orphanage home, where seven children were rescued, including the two earlier abducted children, Abdullahi Umar and Rahamat Umar.
Five children have been handed over to the Social Welfare Department of FCT. Fortunately, three other children who were abducted from different locations in Suleja and Tafa were equally rescued from Chinwe on March 14, 2023, due to her confessions.
The Police stated an effort was ongoing to arrest Ifeoma and Patience, while those arrested so far will be prosecuted.
