Abuja Police Dismantle Child Trafficking Syndicate, Arrest Pastor and Accomplices

FCT POLICE BURST CHILD TRAFFICKING SYNDICATE, ARREST PASTOR, THREE ACCOMPLICES AND RESCUE TWO CHILDREN

Authorities in Abuja have dismantled a child trafficking syndicate and arrested four suspects, including a pastor, his brother, and two female accomplices, during an attempt to traffic two children out of the Federal Capital Territory. The victims, a 7-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, were rescued in the operation.

The FCT Police Command said the breakthrough came after receiving a distress call from officials at Wazobia Motor Park in Gwagwalada at approximately 2:00 a.m. on May 24, 2025. The call reported a man exhibiting suspicious behavior while attempting to board a vehicle with a young child.

Upon receiving the report, a Police Emergency Response Team was immediately deployed to the scene, where officers arrested Israel Ajah as he tried to travel to Owerri, Imo State, with a 7-year-old boy later identified as Muktar Hassan.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the boy had been handed over to the suspect by his elder brother, Reverend Pastor Prince Bassey Ajah, the General Overseer of “Wells of Salvation” Church located in Byazhin Across. Pastor Ajah was subsequently arrested along with two accomplices, identified as Nancy Atoo and Deaconess Vera Duru.

A search of Nancy Atoo’s residence led to the rescue of a second child, a 4-year-old girl known only as “Mercy”—a name given to her by the suspect. No identification or documentation was found for the girl, who is now in protective custody as efforts continue to trace her biological family.

Muktar Hassan has since been safely reunited with his family.

Further investigation revealed that both children were being trafficked to Owerri with the intent to sell them. The suspects confessed that Muktar was to be sold for ₦1.2 million, with the arrangement allegedly coordinated by Deaconess Vera Duru.

Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao Adewale, commended the swift and alert actions of the staff at Wazobia Motor Park. He also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and to avoid sending underage children on errands alone.