Police Rescue 3 Minors, Arrest Suspect for Child Trafficking in Niger State

Niger State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old woman, identified as Victoria Chukwumezie, for allegedly attempting to traffic three underaged children from Lambata to Abuja.

The suspect was intercepted by police operatives at Diko Junction in the Gurara Local Government Area, following a tip-off that led to her arrest, while she was travelling with the minors, aged between two and three years.

Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the arrest in a statement, said the operatives of the Gawu-Babangida Division moved swiftly to the location, after receiving credible intelligence.

According to him, “The suspect was sighted at Diko Junction with three children suspected to have been abducted for trafficking purposes. She was immediately apprehended by our operatives stationed in the area.”

Abiodun said during interrogation, the suspect claimed she took the children from Lambata and was taking them to Abuja “for care,” a statement investigators found suspicious.

“The children, identified as Kazeem (3 years), Ya’amadu (2 years), and Idris (2 years), have since been reunited with their parents after they were contacted,” the police spokesperson added.

He confirmed that an investigation into the matter is ongoing to determine the extent of the suspect’s involvement in possible human trafficking and whether she is part of a wider syndicate.

The Niger State Police Command assured the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety of children and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or persons to security agencies.