Date: 25th September, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
ONDO POLICE GENDER DESK RECOVERS STOLEN CHILD, BUSTS CHILD-TRAFFICKING RING OPERATING ACROSS STATES
The Ondo State Police Command, under the dynamic stewardship of the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, and in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, wishes to inform the general public of a major breakthrough in the recovery of a missing child and the dismantling of a child-trafficking syndicate operating across Ondo, Delta, and Anambra States.
The case began on 3rd February, 2025, when one Sunday Kingsley ‘m’ of Alagbaka Extension, Akure, reported that his 4-year-old daughter, Jesinta Sunday, who was living with his wife, one Sunday Happiness ‘f’, had gone missing. The case was transferred to the Monitoring Unit, State Command Headquarters, for discreet investigation. In the course of proceedings, the matter was charged before the Family Magistrate Court, leading to the remand of the child’s mother, one Nneka Onah ‘f’, alongside Sunday Happiness ‘f’, at the Ondo Correctional Centre before they were later granted bail.
While investigations continued, a breakthrough came on 9th July, 2025, when the complainant, Sunday Kingsley, returned to the station to report that the missing child had been sighted in Asaba, Delta State. Acting without delay, detectives of the Command’s Gender Desk Team moved into action, successfully recovering the child and bringing her back safely to Akure.
The operation also led to the arrest of one Amaka Chukwuemeka ‘f’, aged 30 years, who confessed that she had purchased the child for ₦3,700,000 (Three Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira).
She further revealed that it was her friend, one Chinaza Owoh ‘f’, aged 38 years, who introduced her to another woman, one Mabel Esimai ‘f’, aged 58 years, who released the child to her under the guise of adoption, providing forged documents in the process.
This discovery prompted further investigation, which led to the arrest of Mabel Esimai. During interrogation, she disclosed that she received the child from one Chioma Okechukwu ‘f’, aged 37 years, with the instruction to find a buyer. These revelations exposed the activities of a well-organized trafficking syndicate whose operations extend across Ondo, Delta, and Anambra States, thereby highlighting the scale and reach of the criminal enterprise.
Commending the officers, the Commissioner of Police praised the professionalism and diligence of the Command’s Gender Desk Team, whose swift and coordinated response ensured both the safe recovery of the child and the arrest of key suspects. He further directed the team to continue investigations to uncover all collaborators and to prosecute the suspects accordingly.
The Ondo State Police Command assures the public that it will continue to combat all forms of crime with renewed determination and efficiency. In the words of the Commissioner of Police: “Ondo State cannot and will not be a safe haven for child traffickers or any criminal syndicate.”
E- Signed
DSP AYANLADE OLAYINKA OLUSHOLA
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO)
Ondo State Police Command
For: – Commissioner of Police, Ondo State.
PRESS RELEASE
ONDO POLICE CAPTURE GUNRUNNER SUPPLYING CRIMINAL NETWORKS ACROSS FOUR STATES
The Ondo State Police Command, under the proactive leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, and in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, wishes to inform members of the public of a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against violent crime.
The breakthrough stems from a case of armed robbery reported in Irele town, where a female victim was dispossessed of her unregistered TVS motorcycle, the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira, and other valuables, and was also shot in her right leg. Acting swiftly, operatives of the Command arrested one of the suspects in Irele, before tracking and apprehending two others at a hotel in Ore, thereby setting the stage for a wider investigation.
Building on these initial arrests, the Command intensified its efforts and, in the course of investigation, recorded a landmark success with the arrest of a notorious gunrunner and local arms fabricator who had long been on the Command’s watchlist. This individual, responsible for manufacturing and supplying firearms to criminal networks, has been confirmed to operate not only within Ondo State but also across state lines, extending his illegal dealings to Osun, Kogi, Edo, and Kwara States.
The arrest of this key figure marks a major step forward in dismantling the chain of supply that has fueled violent crimes such as armed robbery and other unlawful activities across the region. Already, four suspects linked to the case have been arraigned in court on charges bordering on armed robbery and attempted murder, while further efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate and ensure that all collaborators are brought to justice.
Commending the officers who worked tirelessly to achieve this feat, the Commissioner of Police reassures the good people of Ondo State of the Command’s unwavering commitment to public safety. In his words:
“There will be no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State. We shall continue to pursue them, dismantle their networks, and ensure that peace and security prevail across every community.”
The Command, therefore, calls on members of the public to continue supporting the Police by providing timely and credible information that can aid in the prevention of crime. All information volunteered will be treated with the utmost confidentiality as the Police and the community work together to secure a safer Ondo State.
E- Signed
DSP AYANLADE OLAYINKA OLUSHOLA
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO)
Ondo State Police Command
For: – Commissioner of Police, Ondo State
Date: 24th September, 2025
