The Police operation in Niger State has uncovered a suspected child trafficking network after four young children were rescued from two elderly women now facing prosecution over allegations of illegal adoption activities and other suspected crimes.
Investigators are working to determine how several children ended up in the suspects’ custody despite conflicting claims about their origins.
Police authorities said the two women have already been charged to court, while efforts continue to reunite the rescued children with their biological families.
According to the Niger State Police Command, operatives from the State Intelligence Department carried out the operation on June 3, 2026, in Suleja following credible intelligence.
Police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, identified the suspects as 68-year-old Promise Chukwudi and her alleged accomplice, 62-year-old Suzanna Onojekwo.
The operation led to the rescue of four children between the ages of four and seven.
Investigators said one child was found inside Onojekwo’s residence located on Church Road in Suleja.
Meanwhile, three other children were rescued from Chukwudi’s residence behind the old NEPA area.
According to police findings, the suspects claimed the children were voluntarily handed over by their parents for adoption.
The women reportedly told investigators that the children came from Karim-Lamido in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
They alleged the children had been released to them between November 2025 and February 2026.
However, the investigation soon took a turn.
Several parents from Abuja, Nasarawa and Benue States reportedly appeared before investigators to identify the rescued children as their own.
Consequently, the claims made by the suspects were thrown into doubt, prompting a wider investigation into the Niger child trafficking case.
Police also disclosed that Chukwudi informed investigators she previously operated Precious Promise Nursery, Primary & Orphanage Home in 2022.
She allegedly resumed operations again in November 2025.
Furthermore, she claimed to be a licensed herbal medical practitioner. During a search of her residence, detectives recovered several unusual items.
Police said the items included a shrine, animal skulls, bird feathers, pieces of multi-coloured clothing and other objects described as fetish materials.
The recovered items have become part of the ongoing investigation.
However, authorities have not publicly linked the recovered objects to any specific criminal offence beyond stating that they were found during the search.
Meanwhile, both suspects were transferred to the Police Headquarters in Minna for further investigation.
The rescued children were immediately handed over to the appropriate child rights agency.
Officials said the agency will continue to care for the children while efforts are made to identify and reunite them with their families.
Authorities also reassured residents that investigations remain active and that anyone connected to the alleged operation will face due legal process.
