Police operatives in Ondo State have rescued a missing four-year-old girl and dismantled a child-trafficking network spanning Ondo, Delta and Anambra States.
The case began on February 3, 2025, when Sunday Kingsley of Alagbaka Extension, Akure, reported that his daughter, Jesinta, had disappeared while staying with her mother, Sunday Happiness.
Spokesman of the State Police Command, Olusola Ayanlade, confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the matter was transferred to the Command’s Monitoring Unit for discreet investigation. The case was also charged before the Family Magistrate Court, leading to the remand of Jesinta’s mother, Sunday Happiness, and another suspect, Nneka Onah, at the Ondo Correctional Centre before they were later granted bail.
According to Ayanlade, on July 9, 2025, Kingsley informed the police that his daughter had been sighted in Asaba, Delta State. Detectives from the Gender Desk Team moved swiftly and recovered Jesinta safely, bringing her back to Akure.
The police statement revealed how the syndicate operated:
- Amaka Chukwuemeka, 30, confessed to purchasing the child for ₦3,700,000.
- She said her friend, Chinaza Owoh, 38, introduced her to Mabel Esimai, 58, who released the child under the guise of adoption using forged documents.
- Further investigation led to the arrest of Esimai, who admitted receiving the child from Chioma Okechukwu, 37, with instructions to find a buyer.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, praised the Gender Desk Team for the successful operation. He directed continued investigations to uncover all collaborators and prosecute the suspects, assuring the public that Ondo State will not serve as a safe haven for child traffickers or criminal syndicates.
