How Police Arrested Leader Of Child Trafficking Syndicate & 3 Others During Operation
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Mama Faith was first arrested and remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre before three of her gang members, ThankGod Taiwo (35), Patience Chikezie (54), and Oluyinka Folake (43), were arrested over their link in the abduction and sale of children for illegal adoption.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, who paraded the three suspects and others involved in various crimes at the Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
The Police boss stated that one of the suspects, Taiwo, was arrested at his hideout after abducting a seven-year old girl, Mercy Akande, whom he sold to Chikezie for N650,000 at Ipaja Roundabout, Lagos. The information led to the arrest of Chikezie on 29th December, 2024, at Lafenwa-Itele, at her residence, where the child was rescued unhurt.
According to the CP, during interrogation, Chikezie confessed that her buyer rejected Mercy because of her age and she had previously purchased a three-year old boy, Mohees Daniel, for N250,000 and sold him for N3 million.
During the investigation, the Police discovered that Chikezie allegedly bought another child, David Jesulayomi, from Oluyinka for N1.5 million, which she attempted to sell for profit. Both children were recovered along with fake adoption agreements issued by Chikezie.
“She created a WhatsApp group named Prema Consult to lure unsuspecting adopters under the guise of legal child adoption,”
“She and her accomplices, including Taiwo and Folake, confessed to working for Mama Faith, who orchestrated the illegal operations.” CP stated.
CP Ogunlowo, who assumed office three weeks ago, warned criminals in the state to desist from illegal activities or face the full weight of the law. He urged residents to support the Police with timely intelligence to combat crime effectively.
During the parade, Chikezie, a mother of two, confessed to the crime and begged for forgiveness.
“It’s not right. I have offended man and God. I plead for mercy.”
However, the Police stated that the suspects will be charged before the Court for conspiracy and child trafficking under the Criminal Laws of the State but that will be after the conclusion of investigations by the Police.
