By Deborah Nnamdi
Operatives from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Saturday thwarted an attempted case of child trafficking, arresting four suspects—including a church General Overseer.
The arrests were prompted by a distress call received around 2:00 a.m. from staff at Wazobia Motor Park in Gwagwalada, who reported a man behaving suspiciously while trying to travel with a young boy.
According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the police emergency response team acted swiftly, apprehending one Isreal Ajah as he attempted to board a vehicle headed to Owerri, Imo State, with a seven-year-old boy identified as Muktar in his custody.
“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.”
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.
According to the police spokesperson, 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 N1.2 million, with the transaction allegedly facilitated by Deaconess Duru.
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.
