Ondo State Police Command has successfully rescued a four-year-old girl, Jesinta Sunday, who was allegedly sold for ₦3.7 million in Asaba, Delta State.
This was confirmed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, in a statement released on Thursday in Akure. He also revealed that two suspects linked to the case are now in police custody.
The investigation began on February 3, 2025, after a man named Sunday Kingsley reported his daughter missing. The girl had reportedly been staying with his wife, Sunday Happiness, at the time.
According to DSP Ayanlade, the case was immediately transferred to the Monitoring Unit for a discreet investigation, leading to its eventual presentation before the Family Magistrate Court in Akure.
The girl’s mother, Nneka Onah, alongside Sunday Happiness, was initially remanded at the Ondo Correctional Centre but later released on bail.
A breakthrough in the case occurred on July 9 when Kingsley reported spotting his missing daughter in Asaba. This prompted a swift response from the police.
Detectives from the Command’s Gender Desk Team swung into action, successfully recovering Jesinta and returning her safely to Akure. During the rescue operation, 30-year-old Amaka Chukwuemeka was apprehended.
Chukwuemeka reportedly confessed to buying the child for ₦3.7 million, claiming she was introduced to the illegal deal by her friend, 38-year-old Chinaza Owoh.
She further stated that the child was handed over to her by 58-year-old Mabel Esimai, who allegedly presented forged adoption documents to legitimise the transaction.
Further investigations revealed that Esimai had received the child from 37-year-old Chioma Okechukwu, who was tasked with finding a buyer.
DSP Ayanlade said the case had uncovered “a well-organised child trafficking network operating across Ondo, Delta, and Anambra States,” pointing to the broader scale of the criminal operation.
He also commended the Gender Desk Team for their swift and professional handling of the case, adding that the Command has launched a full investigation to identify all accomplices.
“Ondo State will not serve as a safe haven for traffickers or criminal syndicates,” Ayanlade affirmed.
