By Peter.
In a major crackdown, Niger State Police have rescued six young children — aged 3 to 11 — stolen across the state in the past month, arresting multiple suspects including a husband-and-wife duo who allegedly bought two toddlers for ₦2.3 million total.
Case 1: Four Boys Nearly Lynched from Suspect in Tafa On Tuesday, police in Tafa LGA swooped in after residents spotted 40-year-old Usman Adamu of Sabon-Wuse roaming Angwan-Katampe with four clearly non-related boys:
- Khalid Ilyasu (7)
- Sadiq Ilyasu (11)
- Ahmed Ilyasu (5)
- Sadiq Idris (5) — all from Sabon-Wuse
An angry mob nearly lynched Adamu, but officers extracted him and the kids safely. Under interrogation, he confessed a yet-to-be-identified woman hired him to abduct children, promising “handsome reward.” He’s now in SCID Minna while police hunt the female mastermind.
Case 2: Couple Nabbed in Abuja with Two Trafficked Toddlers Acting on intelligence, detectives raided a residence in Orozo, Kurudu (FCT), arresting Leonard Ugochukwu (55) and his wife Ngozi Ugochukwu (45). Found with them:
- Goodnews Sunday (4 years)
- Ummukulsum Bello (3 years)
The couple admitted buying the children from one Okpalaye Ibrahim, a hospital worker in the same area, at ₦1.1 million each plus ₦100,000 “registration fee” — totaling ₦2.3 million. Ibrahim is now on the run.
Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirmed both cases are linked to wider trafficking syndicates. All six rescued children have been reunited with families or placed in protective care while manhunts continue for remaining accomplices.
X is raging:
- “₦1.1m per child like they’re buying goats. Evil!”
- “Thank God for Niger Police — these demons deserve no mercy.”
- “From baby factories to open market sales — when did Nigeria become this?”
These rescues come days after Ondo police busted a sex-trafficking ring and freed 15 girls, underscoring a chilling surge in child trafficking across the country.
Well done to Niger Command — six families have their babies back tonight. The hunt for the rest of the network continues. 🙏🇳🇬 #EndChildTrafficking #NigerPolice #RescuedKids
