The Niger State Police Command has rescued four children aged between four and seven after dismantling a suspected child trafficking operation allegedly disguised as an adoption and orphanage service in Suleja.
According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspects, 68-year-old Promise Chukwudi and her alleged accomplice, 62-year-old Suzanna Onojekwo, were arrested during a raid carried out by operatives of the State Intelligence Department on June 3, 2026.
Police said one of the rescued children was found at Onojekwo’s residence on Church Road, Suleja, while the others were recovered from Chukwudi’s residence behind the old NEPA area.
The suspects claimed the children, whom they identified as natives of Karim-Lamido in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, were voluntarily released to them by their parents between November 2025 and February 2026 for adoption.
However, investigators said several parents from Abuja, Nasarawa and Benue States later came forward to identify the children, contradicting the suspects’ account.
Chukwudi reportedly told investigators she previously operated Precious Promise Nursery, Primary & Orphanage Home in 2022 before resuming activities in November 2025. She also claimed to be a licensed herbal medical practitioner.
During a search of her residence, police recovered a shrine, animal skulls, bird feathers, pieces of multi-coloured clothing and other items described as fetish objects.
The suspects were transferred to the Police Headquarters in Minna for further investigation, while the rescued children were handed over to the appropriate child rights agency for care as efforts to identify and reunite them with their families continue.
Police confirmed that both suspects have now been charged to court for prosecution.
