Police foil child trafficking, arrest pastor, three others in Abuja

Operatives from the Federal Capital Territory police command on Saturday foiled a child trafficking attempt, arresting four suspects, including a church General Overseer.

The arrest followed a distress call received around 2:00 a.m. from officials of Wazobia Motor Park, Gwagwalada, who reported a man exhibiting suspicious behavior while attempting to travel with a young child.

The police, in a statement by the command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the police emergency response team swiftly responded and apprehended one Isreal Ajah as he attempted to board a vehicle bound for Owerri, Imo State, with a seven-year-old boy in his custody.

Adeh said preliminary investigations revealed that the child had been handed over to Israel by his elder brother, Rev. Pastor Prince Bassey Ajah, General Overseer of the Wells of Salvation Church, located in Byazhin area of the FCT.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the child was handed over to the suspect by his elder brother, one Rev. Pastor Prince Bassey Ajah, the pastor and General Overseer (Daddy G.O.) of Wells of Salvation Church located in Byazhin Across. Pastor Prince Ajah was promptly arrested alongside two other accomplices identified as Nancy Atoo and Deaconess Vera Duru.”

She said Ajah was arrested alongside two accomplices, identified as Nancy Atoo and Deaconess Vera Duru.

Adeh added that a subsequent search of Nancy Atoo’s residence led to the rescue of another victim, a four-year-old girl known only as Mercy, a name given to her by the suspects.

Adeh said, “A search conducted at the residence of Nancy Atoo led to the rescue of a second victim, a 4-year-old girl identified only as ‘Mercy’, a name given to her by the suspect. No documentation or identifying information was found for the child, who is currently in protective custody as efforts are underway to trace her biological family. While Muktar has since been reunited with his family.”

Adeh said investigations further revealed that both children were being trafficked to Owerri for sale.

She noted that the suspects confessed that Muktar was to be sold for ₦1.2 million, with the transaction allegedly facilitated by Deaconess Duru.

“Further investigation revealed that both children were being trafficked to Owerri for sale. The suspects confessed that Muktar Hassan was to be sold for ₦1.2 million through arrangements facilitated by Deaconess Vera Duru, “she said.

Commending the swift action of motor park officials and responding officers, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ajao Adewale, called on parents to be vigilant and avoid sending young children on errands alone.