The Ogun State Police Command has dismantled an organised child trafficking and illegal surrogacy syndicate operating under the cover of an orphanage, rescuing seven children in the process.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) following the transfer of the case from the Idanyin Divisional Headquarters, Agbara, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

Five principal suspects were arrested during the operation, while police uncovered a baby-selling ring in which infants were allegedly sold for ₦1.5 million each.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Thursday.

According to Babaseyi, the case originated on November 28, 2025, when a woman identified as Amara reported the abduction of her six-year-old son, Samuel Honesty, at the Idanyin Police Station.

“Preliminary investigations led to the arrest and prosecution of Chioma Honest and Praise Honesty for suspected involvement in the crime,” he said.

He added that the matter was subsequently transferred to the SCID for in-depth investigation. On January 21, 2026, the abducted child was dropped off at Gowon Police Station in Lagos State, where he disclosed that he had been taken to Joyful Kids Orphanage in Badagry and identified its operator as one Madam Joy.

“Acting on this intelligence, operatives conducted a coordinated operation at the orphanage, where six additional children were rescued, bringing the total number of rescued minors to seven,” Babaseyi said.

The rescued children were identified as Ramsey Chiedozie (8), Rafael Rofiu (6), Kazeem Chiedozie (6), Segun Uthman (9), Ola Abdulhakeem Abdulrasheed (9), David Oyelese (9), and Samuel Honesty (6).

Babaseyi confirmed that Samuel Honesty has since been safely reunited with his mother.

“We are pleased to report that Samuel Honesty has been reunited with his mother, bringing closure to a traumatic ordeal and restoring the family unit,” he said.

During the operation, police also discovered two pregnant teenagers, Tanimola Martins (18) and Favour Martins (18), within the facility. The duo reportedly confessed that they were recruited to carry pregnancies with the intention of selling their babies to pre-arranged buyers at ₦1.5 million per child, allegedly coordinated by the orphanage operator.

The principal suspect, Joy Chiedozie (36), also known as Madam Joy, allegedly confessed to purchasing the abducted child for ₦1.5 million, paying ₦900,000 in cash and ₦600,000 via bank transfer to a woman identified as Kelly. The child was later sold to one Mr Emmanuel, who is currently at large.

Further investigations revealed that Yusuf Adebowale (31), the orphanage driver, allegedly acted as an uncertified surrogate agent, facilitating illegal surrogacy arrangements and linking pregnant girls with prospective buyers.

Other suspects arrested include Martins Favour (18), Tanimola Martins (18), and Rachael Chiedozie (16).

The six other rescued children have been handed over to the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for protective custody, welfare assessment and family tracing.

Babaseyi said investigations are ongoing to apprehend Mr Emmanuel and other buyers in the trafficking network, trace Kelly and related financial transactions, identify additional victims and accomplices, and dismantle the wider syndicate.

The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its zero tolerance for child trafficking, illegal adoption, and the exploitation of vulnerable children and young women, urging the public to report suspicious orphanage operations and trafficking-related activities to the nearest police station.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens and upholding the rule of law.