In a chilling case of child trafficking, the Imo State Police Command has arrested two women who were attempting to sell a four-year-old boy they had kidnapped in Abuja for N2.7 million. The boy, who was abducted while hawking vegetables in the capital, was brought to Owerri, where he was to be sold before luck ran out for the suspects.
The two women, Joy Ugwu from Idah, Kogi State, and Rosella Michael from Zamba, Abuja, were apprehended by the police in Owerri on April 14, 2025, after a discreet operation by officers of the Scorpion Unit. A third accomplice, a nurse who is believed to have been involved in the crime, remains on the run.
According to the Imo State Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, the investigation began after the police received credible intelligence about the child trafficking operation. The police coordinated with Zone 7 Police Headquarters in Abuja to carry out the operation that led to the suspects’ arrest.
“The suspects were attempting to sell the boy, identified as Jaffa Umar, who speaks Hausa fluently, for the sum of N2.7 million in Owerri,” Okoye said. “The boy had been kidnapped in Abuja while hawking vegetables. He was brought to Imo State, where the suspects planned to sell him.”
The police discovered that the two women had transported the boy from Abuja to Owerri, where they were negotiating with potential buyers when they were intercepted by the authorities. The boy’s abduction from the streets of Abuja, where he was selling vegetables to support his family, shocked many, raising serious concerns about child trafficking in the country.
The operation that led to the arrest of the suspects was a joint effort between the Imo State Police Command and the Zone 7 Police Headquarters in Abuja. Acting on credible intelligence, the officers tracked down the suspects to Owerri, where they were attempting to finalize the illegal sale of the child.
When the suspects were arrested, the boy was safely rescued and later reunited with his family. The quick response by the police not only saved the boy from further harm but also shed light on a wider child trafficking network that authorities are now determined to dismantle.
DSP Okoye added, “The child has been safely reunited with his family, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Imo State Police Command and the Zone 7 Police Headquarters. We are now focusing on bringing the third accomplice, believed to be a nurse, to justice.”
Child trafficking is a growing concern in Nigeria, with children being kidnapped, sold, or exploited in various ways. In this case, the boy was abducted in the midst of his daily activities, highlighting the vulnerability of children who are often left unprotected while they work or play in public spaces.
This recent arrest underlines the persistent danger of child trafficking, especially in communities where children are exposed to exploitation. Many families, particularly those in low-income areas, often struggle to protect their children from the reach of traffickers who prey on their vulnerability.
The kidnapping of Jaffa Umar is just one example of a growing problem in the country. It also raises questions about the safety of children in the streets and the need for more robust systems to protect vulnerable minors.
The Commissioner of Police for Imo State, CP Aboki Danjuma, reaffirmed the commitment of the police to protect vulnerable individuals and dismantle trafficking networks in the region. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police.
“The Imo State Police Command is committed to protecting the rights and safety of vulnerable persons, especially children,” CP Danjuma said. “We are determined to break down trafficking rings and bring perpetrators to justice. We also encourage the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via the emergency line.”
The recent rescue of Jaffa Umar serves as a reminder that vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the public are critical in the fight against child trafficking. While the arrest of the two women involved in this case is a positive step, there is still much work to be done to prevent such crimes from happening in the future.
As for the two suspects, they have been transferred to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja for further investigation and prosecution. The police are now focused on locating and apprehending the third suspect, a nurse who is believed to have played a key role in the trafficking operation.
The arrest of the two women attempting to sell a kidnapped child in Imo State is a victory for law enforcement and a testament to the power of community cooperation. However, the larger problem of child trafficking remains a grave concern, one that requires the continued efforts of the government, security agencies, and the public to combat. The case highlights the vulnerability of children and the need for stronger measures to protect them from exploitation and harm.
