The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old woman, Joy Chiedozie a.k.a Madam Joy, and four other principal suspects involved in a planned sale of babies at the rate of ₦1.5 million per child, thereby dismantling an organized child trafficking and illegal surrogacy syndicate operating under the guise of an orphanage facility.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Dr Lanre Ogunlowo, disclosed this on Thursday, January 29, at a press briefing held at the command headquarters at Eleweran, Abeokuta.
Thenewsbearer learnt that the breakthrough was achieved by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department following the transfer of the case from Idanyin Divisional Headquarters.
In the course of the operation, seven children were rescued from the orphanage facility.
The rescued children include Ramsey Chiedozie, eight years old; Rafael Rofiu, six years; Kazeem Chiedozie, aged six; Segun Uthman, aged nine; Ola Abdulhakeem Abdulrasheed, nine years old; David Oyelese, aged nine; and Samuel Honesty, six years old.
According to CP Ogunlowo “the case began on 28th November, 2025, when one Amara reported the abduction of her six-year-old son, Samuel Honesty, at Idanyin Divisional Headquarters.
“Preliminary investigations led to the arrest and prosecution of Chioma Honest and Praise Honesty for suspected foul play.
“Following the report, the case was transferred to the SCID for in-depth investigation. On 21st January, 2026, the abducted child was dropped at Gowon Police Station, Lagos State, where he stated that he had been taken to Joyful Kids Orphanage, Badagry, and identified Madam Joy as the operator of the facility.
“Acting on this intelligence, operatives conducted a coordinated operation at the orphanage, rescuing six additional children and bringing the total number of rescued minors to seven.”
Also, during the operation, two pregnant young women, Tanimola Martins, aged 18; and Favour Martins, also 18 years old, were discovered within the facility.
During an interrogation, they confessed that they were recruited to carry pregnancies with the intention of selling their babies to pre-arranged buyers upon delivery, at a fee of ₦1.5 million per child, facilitated by the orphanage operator.
In her own confession, Madam Joy said that she purchased the abducted child for ₦1.5 million, paying ₦900,000 in cash and ₦600,000 via bank transfer to a woman known as Kelly, and subsequently sold the child to one Mr. Emmanuel who is currently at large.
“Further investigation revealed that Yusuf Adebowale (31 years), the orphanage driver, also acted as an uncertified surrogate agent, facilitating illegal surrogacy arrangements and connecting pregnant girls with prospective buyers.
“Other suspects arrested include Martins Favour (18 years), Tanimola Martins (18 years), and Rachael Chiedozie (16 years),” the CP stated.
He said that Samuel Honesty has been safely and happily reunited with his mother, Amara, bringing an end to a traumatic experience and restoring the family unit, while the other six 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.
“Investigations are ongoing to apprehend Mr. Emmanuel and other buyers in the trafficking network, trace Kelly and the financial transactions, identify additional victims and accomplices, and dismantle the wider child trafficking syndicate,” the Dr Ogunlowo said.
He reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for child trafficking, illegal adoption, and exploitation of vulnerable children and young women.
The police boss urged members of the public to report suspicious orphanage operations, illegal adoption practices, and human trafficking activities to the nearest police station, saying that it remains committed to safeguarding lives, protecting vulnerable citizens, and upholding the rule of law.
