The Niger State Police Command has made significant progress in a major child trafficking investigation, arresting three additional suspects, two of whom are pastors, and rescuing three more stolen children who were sold for a total of N3.7 million.
Expanding the Dragnet: More Arrests and Rescues
Police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the latest developments in a statement issued on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The arrests were made by operatives from the Command's Anti-Kidnapping Unit on November 28, 2025, in the Nasarawa and Abuja areas.
The new suspects are Chioma Onyanja, 45; Joy Ndife, 48; and Olusegun Isaiah Anjorin, 44. With these arrests, the total number of suspects in custody has risen to eleven. The three rescued children, all stolen from Gajere in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State in September 2025, are:
- Saifullahi Abdulmumini (5 months old)
- Possible Danlami (4 years old)
- Safiya Mamman Sani (1 year, 6 months old)
This brings the total number of children recovered in this case to nine.
How the Children Were Sold: Pastors and Orphanages Involved
The investigation revealed disturbing details of how the children were sold. The five-month-old baby, Saifullahi, was found with Chioma Onyanja. She claimed she acquired the child in August 2025 through her pastor, Evangelist Rosemary of Divine Majesty Church, Nyanya, Abuja, for N2.7 million.
Rosemary allegedly told Chioma the child belonged to a desperate student seeking adoption. The four-year-old, Possible, was traced to Joy Ndife, who operates an orphanage and school called "Emmavies" in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
Joy stated that the prime suspect, Victoria Ebunoha Chukwumezie, brought the child to her in early September, advertising the baby as unwanted. When Joy couldn't afford the child, she planned to facilitate its sale to another buyer before her arrest.
The third child, Safiya, was rescued from the residence of Pastor Olusegun Anjorin of Covenant Fulfilment Ministry, Masaka, Nasarawa State. He also runs the Elohim Orphanage and Benevolent Care Center in Orozo, Abuja.
He revealed that Victoria brought the child to his orphanage on September 11, 2025, claiming a young girl abandoned the baby. After negotiation, the pastor paid N1 million for the child.
Ongoing Investigation and Full List of Victims
All rescued children have been reunited with their parents. The police emphasized that further investigation is ongoing to recover other missing children and arrest more receivers or facilitators.
The complete list of nine rescued children is: Muhammadu Hussaini (4yrs), Kasimu Saidu (4yrs), Idris Saidu (2yrs), Ummi Kairi Salisu (3yrs), Goodnews Sunday (4yrs), Rahmat Mohammed (2yrs), Saifullahi Abdulmumini (5 months), Safiya Mamman Sani (1yr 6 Months), and Possible Danlami (4 yrs).
The eleven suspects currently in custody are: Victoria Chukwumezie (40), Harrieta Obiakor (50), Divine Sunday (43), Rosemary Ogbulogo (46), Vincent Emmanuel (41), Rose Nwabufor (70), Chioma Onyanja (45), Joy Ndife (48), Olusegun Isaiah Anjorin (44), Leo Ugochukwu (55), and Ngozi Ugochukwu (45).
The case began with the arrest of the prime suspect, Victoria Ebunoha Chukwumezie, around Dikko junction on November 5, 2025, and has since uncovered a widespread trafficking network.
