Ogun Police Dismantle Child Trafficking, Illegal Surrogacy Ring Disguised as Orphanage
The Ogun State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled a well-organised child trafficking and illegal surrogacy syndicate operating under the cover of an orphanage in the Agbara axis of the state, rescuing seven minors in the process.
The operation was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) after the transfer of an abduction case from the Idanyin Divisional Police Headquarters to SCID in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
Five principal suspects were arrested during the raid, while police also uncovered evidence of a structured network involved in the sale of children and unborn babies for as much as ₦1.5 million per child.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed these developments in a statement issued on Thursday January 29.
According to the Police, investigations began on November 28, 2025, after a woman identified as Amara reported the abduction of her six-year-old son, Samuel Honesty.
Preliminary findings led to the arrest and prosecution of two relatives suspected of complicity before the case was escalated for deeper investigation.
A major breakthrough occurred on January 21, 2026, when the missing child was dropped at Gowon Police Station in Lagos State.
The boy reportedly told Officers he had been taken to Joyful Kids Orphanage in Badagry and identified the operator as a woman popularly known as Madam Joy.
Acting on this intelligence, police operatives raided the facility and rescued six additional children, bringing the total number of recovered minors to seven.
The rescued children, aged between six and nine years, were identified as Ramsey Chiedozie, Rafael Rofiu, Kazeem Chiedozie, Segun Uthman, Ola Abdulhakeem Abdulrasheed, David Oyelese, and Samuel Honesty.
Samuel Honesty has since been reunited with his mother, Amara, bringing relief and closure to the family after months of distress.
During the operation, officers also discovered two pregnant teenagers, both aged 18, who reportedly confessed to being recruited to carry pregnancies for the purpose of selling their babies to pre-arranged buyers upon delivery.
The illegal transactions were allegedly facilitated by the orphanage operator at an agreed fee of ₦1.5 million per child.
The prime suspect, Joy Chiedozie (36), also known as Madam Joy, allegedly admitted to purchasing the abducted child for ₦1.5 million, paying ₦900,000 in cash and ₦600,000 via bank transfer to an accomplice identified as Kelly.
The child was later sold to a buyer identified as Mr Emmanuel, who is currently at large.
Police further revealed that Yusuf Adebowale (31), the orphanage driver, acted as an uncertified surrogate agent, linking pregnant young women with prospective buyers as part of the illegal operation.
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.
DSP Babaseyi said investigations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects, trace financial transactions, identify additional victims, and dismantle the wider trafficking network.
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 orphanages and human trafficking activities to security agencies.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives, protecting vulnerable citizens, and upholding the rule of law.
