Ogun State Police Command has dismantled a child trafficking and illegal surrogacy syndicate operating under the guise of an orphanage, rescuing seven children in the process.
The breakthrough was achieved by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) after the case was transferred from Idanyin Divisional Headquarters, Agbara, to Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
During the operation, five principal suspects were arrested, and police uncovered plans to sell babies at ₦1.5 million each.
State police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed that the investigation began on November 28, 2025, when a mother, Amara, reported the abduction of her six-year-old son, Samuel Honesty, at Idanyin Divisional Headquarters. Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of Chioma Honest and Praise Honesty for suspected foul play.
The abducted child was later traced to Joyful Kids Orphanage, Badagry, where the operator, Madam Joy (36), was identified. Acting on this intelligence, operatives conducted a coordinated raid on the facility, rescuing six additional children.
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).
Two pregnant young women, Tanimola Martins (18) and Favour Martins (18), were also found at the facility. They admitted being recruited to carry pregnancies intended for sale to pre-arranged buyers at ₦1.5 million per child, facilitated by the orphanage operator.
Babaseyi explained that Madam Joy allegedly purchased the abducted child for ₦1.5 million, paying ₦900,000 in cash and ₦600,000 via bank transfer to a woman known as Kelly, before selling the child to a buyer, Mr Emmanuel, who remains at large. Further investigations revealed that 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 rescued children have been handed over to the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for protective custody, welfare assessment, and family tracing.
DSP Babaseyi said the investigation is ongoing to apprehend Mr Emmanuel and other buyers, trace Kelly and the financial transactions, identify additional victims, and dismantle the wider trafficking network.
He reiterated that the state police command maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward child trafficking, illegal adoption, and exploitation of vulnerable children.
Members of the public are urged to report suspicious orphanage operations and human trafficking activities to the nearest police station.
