POLICE RESCUE SIX CHILDREN FROM ALLEGED TRAFFICKERS IN BENUE

Read Time:1 Minute, 26 Second

The Benue State Police Command has rescued six children, aged between seven and nine, who were allegedly being trafficked from Jos, Plateau State, to Anambra State.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Makurdi, said three women were arrested in connection with the incident.

Edet identified the rescued children as Amanda Chukwujekwu (8), Chioma Maduagwu (8), Oyechegi Kosisochukwu (9), Okonkwo Odinaka Chukwu (9), Arinze Chukwu (7), and Oluchukwu Esther (9).

According to him, operatives on patrol along the Orokam–Enugu Road intercepted a suspicious vehicle around 5:05 pm on November 20, 2025, and arrested the suspects:

Mrs Monica Okonkwo (57), Nkiru Nwosu (55), and Oyechele Francisca (57), all from Umude Oka Dunukofia, Anambra State.

“The suspects were found in transit with six children reportedly taken from Divine Peace and Grace Orphanage, Jos, Plateau State, under questionable circumstances,” Edet stated, adding that they claimed to be taking the children to Anambra.

He said the children have been placed under protective care, while investigations continue at the State CID.

In a separate incident, Edet confirmed that two suspects linked to stolen motorcycles along George Akume Way, Makurdi, were lynched by a mob before police arrived. Officers later recovered 11 suspected stolen motorcycles, 47 motorcycle seats, fuel tanks, charms, three mattresses, and a single-barrel firearm.

The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, condemned the mob action, describing it as “a dangerous trend that obstructs justice, violates fundamental human rights, and sabotages investigations.”

He urged residents to hand over suspects to security agencies rather than resort to jungle justice.

Child trafficking remains a major concern in Nigeria, with far-reaching physical, psychological, and social consequences for victims.