The Benue State Police Command has rescued six children, aged seven to nine, who were allegedly being trafficked to Anambra State.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, said the children were reportedly taken from Divine Peace and Grace Orphanage in Jos, Plateau State, before they were intercepted by police operatives.
In a statement issued on Friday in Makurdi, Edet confirmed that three women had been arrested in connection with the suspected trafficking case.
He listed the rescued children as Amanda Chukwujekwu (F, 8), Chioma Maduagwu (F, 8), Oyechegi Kosisochukwu (F, 9), Okonkwo Odinaka Chukwu (F, 9), Arinze Chukwu (M, 7), and Oluchukwu Esther (F, 9).
According to the statement, “On 20th November 2025, at about 1705hrs, operatives on patrol along the Orokam–Enugu Road intercepted a suspicious vehicle and arrested three female suspects—one Mrs Monica Okonkwo, 57 years; one Nkiru Nwosu, 55 years; and one Oyechele Francisca, 57 years, all of Umude Oka Dunukofia, Anambra State.
“The suspects were found in transit with six children,” Edet added, noting that “the children were taken from Divine Peace and Grace Orphanage, Jos, Plateau State, under questionable circumstances.”
He said the women claimed they were transporting the children to Anambra State.
“The children have been successfully rescued and are under protective care, while the suspects are in custody as investigations continue at the State CID,” the statement added.
Edet also revealed that two individuals suspected of motorcycle theft along George Akume Way, Makurdi, were lynched by residents before officers arrived at the scene.
Police recovered several stolen items including “11 suspected stolen motorcycles, 47 motorcycle seats, fuel tanks, criminal charms, three mattresses, and one single-barrel firearm.”
He noted that Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari condemned the mob action, warning that such behaviour obstructs justice and undermines human rights.
The CP urged residents to always hand over suspects to the authorities, while stressing that child trafficking continues to pose a serious threat to vulnerable children across the country.
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