The Ogun State Police Command has announced the discovery of a child trafficking syndicate selling children for ₦1.5 million each and the rescue of seven children in the process.
The rescued children are Ramsey Chiedozie, 8; Rafael Rofiu, 6; Kazeem Chiedozie, 6; Segun Uthman, 9; Ola Abdulhakeem Abdulrasheed, 9; David Oyelese, 9: and Samuel Honesty, 6.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo made the disclosure during a press briefing on Thursday, noting that the suspects also operated an illegal surrogacy syndicate 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,” CP Ogunlowo said.
According to him, the case began on November 28, 2025, when one Amara reported the abduction of her six-year-old son, Samuel Honesty, at the Idanyin Divisional Headquarters.
He noted that 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 CP stated.
CP Ogunlowo revealed that Samuel Honesty has been safely reunited with his mother, Amara, adding that two pregnant young women, Tanimola Martins, 18, and Favour Martins, 18, were discovered within the facility during the operation.
“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.”
He said further investigation revealed that the orphanage driver, Yusuf Adebowale, 31, also acted as an uncertified surrogate agent, facilitating illegal surrogacy arrangements and connecting pregnant girls with prospective buyers.
The CP also pointed out other arrested suspects, including Martins Favour, 18; Tanimola Martins, 18; and Rachael Chiedozie, 16, stressing that 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.
Ogunlowo disclosed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend 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.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to zero tolerance for child trafficking, illegal adoption, and the exploitation of vulnerable children and young women, as well as to safeguarding lives, protecting vulnerable citizens, and upholding the rule of law.
He urged members of the public to report suspicious orphanage operations, illegal adoption practices, and human trafficking activities to the nearest police station.
