Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested four persons, including a pastor, for their involvement in child trafficking activities.
The FCT Command’s Spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
She explained that the Gwagwalada Area Command had on Saturday, 24th May 2025, at about 2:00 a.m., received a distress call from officials of Wazobia Motor Park, Gwagwalada, reporting a male exhibiting suspicious behavior while attempting to travel with a young child.
A Police Emergency Response Team was swiftly dispatched to the scene, where one Isreal Ajah was arrested while attempting to board a vehicle to Owerri, Imo State, with a 7-year-old boy 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 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.
A search conducted at the residence of Nancy Atoo led to the rescue of a second victim, a 4-year-old girl identified only as “Mercy”, a name given to her by the suspect. 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 the 7- year-old, Muktar, has since been reunited with his family.
Adeh said that further investigation revealed that both children were being trafficked to Owerri for sale, while the suspects confessed that Muktar Hassan was to be sold for ₦1.2 million through arrangements facilitated by Deaconess Vera Duru.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao Adewale, while commrnding the vigilance and prompt response of officials at Wazobia Motor Park, also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and avoid sending underage children on errands unaccompanied.
“FCT residents are enjoined to always report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, or 07057337653”, Adeh stated.
