Ogun Police Bust ₦1.5m-per-baby Fake Orphanage, Trafficking Syndicate
The Ogun State Police Command has dismantled an organised child trafficking and illegal surrogacy syndicate operating under the guise of an orphanage, rescuing seven children and arresting five principal suspects in a major security breakthrough.
The operation, carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), followed the transfer of a case from the Idanyin Divisional Headquarters and exposed a coordinated network involved in the planned sale of babies for as much as ₦1.5 million per child.
The case began on 28 November 2025, when a woman identified as Amara reported the abduction of her six-year-old son, Samuel Honesty, at the Idanyin Divisional Headquarters. Preliminary investigations led to the arrest and prosecution of Chioma Honest and Praise Honesty for suspected foul play, after which the matter was transferred to the SCID for in-depth investigation.
A breakthrough occurred on 21 January 2026, when the abducted child was dropped at the Gowon Police Station in Lagos State. The boy told officers he had been taken to Joyful Kids Orphanage, Badagry, and identified the operator as Madam Joy.
Acting on the intelligence, police operatives raided the facility, rescuing six additional children and bringing the total number of rescued minors to seven. The 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).
Police confirmed that Samuel Honesty has been safely reunited with his rmother, bringing closure to a traumatic experience for the family.
During the operation, two pregnant teenagers, Tanimola Martins (18) and Favour Martins (18), were discovered within the facility. They reportedly confessed to being recruited to carry pregnancies for the purpose 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), popularly known as Madam Joy, was arrested at the orphanage. She reportedly 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, and subsequently selling the child to a man known as Mr. Emmanuel, who is currently at large.
Further investigations revealed that Yusuf Adebowale (31), the orphanage driver, also functioned as an uncertified surrogate agent, allegedly facilitating illegal surrogacy arrangements and linking pregnant young women with prospective buyers. Other suspects arrested include Martins Favour (18), Tanimola Martins (18), and Rachael Chiedozie (16).
The six other rescued children have been formally handed over to the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for protective custody, welfare assessment, and family tracing.
Police authorities said investigations are ongoing to apprehend Mr. Emmanuel and other buyers in the trafficking network, trace Kelly and related financial transactions, identify more victims and accomplices, and dismantle the wider child trafficking syndicate.
Reaffirming its position, the Ogun State Police Command declared zero tolerance for child trafficking, illegal adoption, and the exploitation of vulnerable children and young women, urging members of the public to report suspicious orphanage operations, illegal adoption practices, and human trafficking activities to the nearest police station.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, Ph.D, reiterated the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives, protecting vulnerable citizens, and upholding the rule of law across Ogun State.
