Niger: Police arrest two women over alleged child trafficking, rescue four children

The Niger State Police Command has arrested two women over alleged child trafficking and suspected ritual-related activities, rescuing four children between the ages of four and seven in Suleja, Suleja local government area of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the suspects were apprehended following a credible intelligence-led operation by operatives of the State Intelligence Department on June 3, 2026.

He identified the suspects as Mrs Promise Chukwudi, 68, of Suleja and Mrs Suzanna Onojekwo, 62, of Church Road, Suleja, where one of the rescued children was found.

According to Abiodun, the suspects claimed the children were handed over to them by their parents from Karim-Lamido in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State between November 2025 and February 2026 for adoption.

He explained that Chukwudi also told investigators that she previously operated Precious Promise Nursery, Primary and Orphanage Home in 2022 before resuming operations in November 2025.

She further claimed to be a licensed herbal medical practitioner who provides traditional treatment for ailments.

However, the police said investigations uncovered contradictions in the suspects’ claims after different parents from Abuja, Nasarawa and Benue states came forward to claim the rescued children.

A search of the suspects’ residence reportedly led to the recovery of a shrine, animal skulls, multi-coloured pieces of clothing, bird feathers and other fetish items.

Abiodun said the suspects were transferred to the Police Headquarters in Minna for further investigation, while the children were handed over to the appropriate child rights agency for care as efforts continue to identify their rightful parents.

The police image maker added that the suspects have been charged to court for prosecution.