The Ondo State Police Command has announced a major breakthrough with the recovery of a missing four-year-old girl and the dismantling of a child-trafficking syndicate operating across Ondo, Delta, and Anambra States.

According to a statement issued on Thursday, September 25, 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the case began on February 3, 2025, when one Sunday Kingsley of Alagbaka Extension, Akure, reported the disappearance of his daughter, Jesinta Sunday. The matter was initially charged before the Family Magistrate Court, leading to the remand of the child’s mother, Sunday Happiness, and one Nneka Onah, before they were later granted bail.

The breakthrough came on July 9, 2025, when the complainant alerted police that the missing child had been sighted in Asaba, Delta State. Acting swiftly, detectives from the Command’s Gender Desk Team recovered the child and returned her safely to Akure.

The operation also led to the arrest of a 30-year-old woman, Amaka Chukwuemeka, who confessed to buying the child for ₦3.7 million. She revealed that she was introduced to the deal by her friend, 38-year-old Chinaza Owoh, who connected her with 58-year-old Mabel Esimai. Esimai allegedly handed over the child under the guise of adoption, presenting forged documents.

Further investigation led to Esimai’s arrest. During interrogation, she disclosed that the child was given to her by one Chioma Okechukwu, aged 37, with instructions to find a buyer. Police say this chain of revelations exposed a well-organized trafficking network operating across three states.

Commending the Gender Desk Team for their professionalism, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, stressed the Command’s resolve to clamp down on child traffickers.

“Ondo State cannot and will not be a safe haven for child traffickers or any criminal syndicate,” he declared.

The suspects are currently in custody, while further investigations are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices and prosecute those already arrested.