The Ogun State Police Command says it has dismantled an organised child trafficking and illegal surrogacy syndicate operating under the guise of an orphanage, with the arrest of five suspects and the rescue of seven children.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed this in a press statement.

According to the police, the operation was carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) following the transfer of the case from the Idanyin Divisional Headquarters.

“In the course of the operation, seven children were rescued and five principal suspects were arrested, exposing a planned sale of babies at the rate of ?1.5 million per child,” Babaseyi said.

He explained that the case began on November 28, 2025, when one Amara reported the abduction of her six-year-old son, Samuel Honesty, at the Idanyin Divisional Headquarters.

“Preliminary investigations led to the arrest and prosecution of Chioma Honest and Praise Honesty for suspected foul play,” he added.

Babaseyi stated that following the report, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for an in-depth investigation.

“On January 21, 2026, the abducted child was dropped at Gowon Police Station, Lagos State, where he stated that he had been taken to Joyful Kids Orphanage in Badagry and identified Madam Joy as the operator of the facility.

“Acting on this intelligence, operatives conducted a coordinated operation at the orphanage, rescuing six additional children and bringing the total number of rescued minors to seven,” he said.

The spokesman said one of them had since been safely reunited with his mother, “Amara, bringing closure to a traumatic experience and restoring the family unit,” Babaseyi said.

He disclosed that during the operation, two young pregnant women, identified as Tanimola Martins (18) and Favour Martins (18), were discovered within the facility.

“They confessed that they were recruited to carry pregnancies with the intention of selling their babies to pre-arranged buyers upon delivery, at a fee of ?1.5 million per child, facilitated by the orphanage operator,” he said.

According to the police, the principal suspect, Joy Chiedozie (36), also known as Madam Joy, was arrested at the orphanage.

“She confessed to purchasing the abducted child for N1.5 million, paying N900,000 in cash and N600,000 via bank transfer to a woman known as Kelly, and subsequently selling the child to one Mr Emmanuel, who is currently at large,” Babaseyi said.

Further investigation revealed that Yusuf Adebowale (31), the orphanage driver, also acted as an uncertified surrogate agent, facilitating illegal surrogacy arrangements and connecting pregnant girls with prospective buyers.

Other suspects arrested include Martins Favour (18), Tanimola Martins (18), and Rachael Chiedozie (16).

Babaseyi said the remaining six rescued children had been formally handed over to the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for protective custody, welfare assessment, and family tracing.

He added that investigations were ongoing to apprehend Mr Emmanuel and other buyers within the trafficking network, trace Kelly and associated financial transactions, identify additional victims and accomplices, and dismantle the wider child trafficking syndicate.

The police command reiterated its zero tolerance for child trafficking, illegal adoption, and the exploitation of vulnerable children and young women.

The force called on members of the public to report suspicious orphanage operations, illegal adoption practices, and human trafficking activities to the nearest police station. (Channels TV)

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