OGUN POLICE BUST CHILD TRAFFICKING, ILLEGAL SURROGACY RING, RESCUE SEVEN CHILDREN

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Ogun State Police Command has dismantled a child trafficking and illegal surrogacy syndicate masquerading as an orphanage, rescuing seven children and arresting five principal suspects.

The breakthrough was achieved by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) following the transfer of the case from Idanyin Divisional Headquarters, Agbara, to Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the state police spokesperson, disclosed on Thursday that the operation also uncovered a planned sale of babies at ₦1.5 million per child.

The case began on November 28, 2025, when Amara reported the abduction of her six-year-old son, Samuel Honesty. Investigations led to the arrest of Chioma Honest and Praise Honesty, after which the case was transferred to SCID for further probe. On January 21, 2026, Samuel was found at Joyful Kids Orphanage, Badagry, where he identified Madam Joy as the operator.

“Acting on this intelligence, operatives conducted a coordinated operation at the orphanage, rescuing six additional children, bringing the total to seven,” Babaseyi said. The rescued minors include Ramsey Chiedozie (8), Rafael Rofiu (6), Kazeem Chiedozie (6), Segun Uthman (9), Ola Abdulhakeem Abdulrasheed (9), David Oyelese (9), and Samuel Honesty (6), who has been safely reunited with his mother.

Two pregnant young women, Tanimola Martins and Favour Martins, both 18, were also discovered at the facility. They confessed to being recruited to carry pregnancies with the intent to sell the babies to pre-arranged buyers at ₦1.5 million each, facilitated by the orphanage operator.

The principal suspect, Joy Chiedozie (36), aka Madam Joy, allegedly admitted purchasing Samuel Honesty for ₦1.5 million—₦900,000 in cash and ₦600,000 via bank transfer—before selling him to a buyer, Mr. Emmanuel, who remains at large. Further investigations revealed Yusuf Adebowale (31), the orphanage driver, acted as an uncertified surrogate agent connecting pregnant girls with prospective buyers. Other suspects arrested include Martins Favour (18), Tanimola Martins (18), and Rachael Chiedozie (16).

The six other rescued children have been placed under the protective custody of the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for welfare assessment and family tracing.

Babaseyi emphasized that investigations are ongoing to apprehend Mr. Emmanuel, trace financial transactions, identify additional victims, and dismantle the wider trafficking network.

The Ogun State Police reiterated its zero tolerance for child trafficking, illegal adoption, and exploitation of vulnerable children, urging the public to report suspicious orphanages and human trafficking activities to the nearest police station.

The command stressed its commitment to safeguarding lives, protecting vulnerable citizens, and upholding the rule of law.