The police command in Ondo has rescued a four-year-old girl, Jesinta Sunday, who was sold for ₦3.7 million in Asaba.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday in Akure, adding that two suspects had been arrested.
He stated that the case began on February 3, 2025, when a resident, Sunday Kingsley, reported his daughter, Sunday Happiness, missing while she was living with him.
According to the police officer, the case was transferred to the command’s monitoring unit for investigation, and later presented before the Family Magistrate Court in Akure.
The child’s mother, Nneka Onah, and Sunday Happiness were remanded at the Ondo Correctional Centre before later being granted bail.
A breakthrough came on July 9, when Kingsley reported sighting his missing daughter in Asaba, prompting swift police action. Detectives from the command’s Gender Desk Team rescued the child and returned her to Akure, while arresting another suspect, Amaka Chukwuemeka, aged 30.
Ms Chukwuemeka confessed that she bought the child for ₦3.7 million, adding that she was introduced to the deal by her friend, Chinaza Owoh, aged 38, according to the police statement.
She also mentioned that the little girl was handed over by another suspect, 58-year-old Mabel Esimai, who provided forged adoption documents to facilitate the transaction.
The police command said that Ms Esimai allegedly received the child from another woman, Chioma Okechukwu, aged 37, with instructions to secure a buyer.
Mr Ayanlade said the discoveries exposed a well-organised trafficking network spanning Ondo, Delta, and Anambra, highlighting the scale of the criminal enterprise.
The statement commended the Gender Desk Team for their diligence, professionalism, and swift response in rescuing the child.
(NAN)