Police rescue six trafficked children in Benue, arrest three women

The Benue State Police Command has rescued six children, aged between seven and nine, who were allegedly being trafficked to Anambra State.

According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, the children were reportedly taken from Divine Peace and Grace Orphanage in Jos, Plateau State.

In a statement released on Friday and made available to journalists in Makurdi, Edet said three female suspects were arrested in connection with the trafficking.

Edet 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).

The statement read partly: “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,” adding that “the children were taken from Divine Peace and Grace Orphanage, Jos, Plateau State, under questionable circumstances.”

The PPRO stated that the suspects claimed the children were being transported 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 said.

Edet further disclosed that two suspects linked to stolen motorcycles along George Akume Way, Makurdi, who attempted to escape, were lynched by members of the public before the arrival of the police.

He added that several stolen items were recovered when officers arrived at the scene.

Recovered items included “11 suspected stolen motorcycles, 47 motorcycle seats, fuel tanks, criminal charms, three mattresses, and one single-barrel firearm.”

Edet said the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, strongly condemned all forms of mob action, describing it as a dangerous trend that obstructs justice, violates fundamental human rights, and sabotages police investigations.

The CP urged the public to always hand over suspects to lawful authorities.

Child trafficking remains rampant in the country, with devastating and often lifelong consequences for victims, affecting their physical, psychological, educational, and social development.