Crime
Traffickers connive with Local Govt officials to sell baby for N400,000
I have boys as children; I only wanted to have a girl-child,” was the excuse given by Mrs Tina Raphael, a 60-year-old woman from Anambra State who was arrested by the Gombe State Police Command over her involvement in a case of suspected child trafficking.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Raphael said she adopted the baby from a suspected trafficker she identified as Khadijah for N400,000, adding that she was introduced to the ailing child who was dying from malnutrition.
“I had been wanting to adopt a baby girl since January 1, 2024, and was told that one was available by Khadijah. The baby is one year old and she was not walking and was sick, so I asked her (Khadijah) to bring the baby to me to see what I could do to help her.
“After looking at the baby, I noticed that she was suffering from malnutrition and needed medical assistance; that’s why I asked her to bring the child after which I asked her how I could get legal papers for the custody of the baby since she works with social welfare (in the Ministry of Women Affairs) because she told me she works there.”
Narrating further, the 60-year-old woman disclosed that she was charged an amount for the documentation of the baby’s ownership and denied buying the baby.
“She (Khadijah) told me to bring N400,000 which I did. This happened on January 1, 2024, and I was hoping that she would come on Friday and hand over the papers to me, only for me to see her with police in my house and (the police) arrested me without the papers; that was how I got involved.
“I didn’t buy the baby with the money I gave her because she said she would hand over papers to me and that was what I had been waiting for,” Raphael added.
When our correspondent asked her whether she knew who the little girl’s mother was, she said she was told that the baby’s mother had died.
“The baby’s mother is dead and nobody is there to take care of her. She is sick and cannot walk and my husband welcomed the idea too because I have only male children,” she added.
Like Raphael, another resident of Gombe also from Anambra State, Ukamaka Ugo, who was also arrested for baby racketeering, claimed she was innocent.
Ugo said Khadijah had promised to ‘give’ her baby for a fee when they met in a market.
“There was a day I went to the market and met Khadijah carrying a baby girl on her back. We exchanged greetings and I told her that the baby she had on her back was beautiful and that I wished she could let me have her since I did not have any.
“She said she would not give me this one (the baby) but that she was a worker in the hospital with the social welfare department. She said any time she got a baby she would let me know,” she said.
Ugo told Saturday PUNCH that in April 2023, Khadijah informed her about a woman who recently had a baby but did not have money for the child’s well-being.
“Khadijah called in April 2023 that there was a girl and the mother was in the hospital, that she gave birth but didn’t have the resources to take care of the baby. When I heard what she said, I told her that I was interested.
She told me to buy some baby items and take them to the mother of the girl at the hospital so she (the baby’s mother) would hand the baby over to me. I gave her N50,000 to process everything,” she said.
While arguing that the child wasn’t sold, Ugo noted that the N50,000 included the child’s medication and other needs. She, however, admitted that the baby was later handed over to her to keep as hers.
“She (Khadijah) told me that she would not hand the baby over to me until she had processed everything at the social welfare office. She called me after a week on the phone and told me that she was through with the social welfare processes.
“When they came to carry the baby, she said the paper was not yet out from the social welfare office and that anytime that the paper was ready, she would hand it over to me.”
“After a week, I started training the baby like mine, that’s all I know. I didn’t steal any child; I thought I was dealing with the right person and from the right source because she told me she worked with the social welfare office,” she told our correspondent.
Ugo disclosed that the parents of the child had signed an undertaking to hand over the child to her.
“The mother of the baby, the grandmother, the baby’s father, and his brother all went to the social welfare (office) and signed that they had handed the baby over to me; that was why I agreed to take care of the baby. The N50,000 was for the delivery (hospital bill).”
But the family of the baby denied selling their child to the suspect. The father of the baby, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Saturday PUNCH that they chose to involve the police when Khadijah’s movement and actions became suspicious.
“We didn’t sell our daughter’s child, though we received some money from Khadijah. We were prevented from seeing the child, so we alerted the police because that was not what they (Khadijah) told us,” he added.
Babies not taken without parents’ consent – Khadijah
However, the prime suspect debunked the allegations of child theft and trafficking. Khadijah said she didn’t commit any crime. She told our correspondent that while she collaborated with some social welfare workers, none of the children were forcefully taken away from their families.
“I’m not a trafficker. I only linked the person who saw the baby with me to the social welfare (office).
“I didn’t sell any child but the person I linked them up with was given N400,000 and I gave the office N200,000 and got the other (half). I have never sold any baby before nor have I bought from anyone.
“None of the children were stolen; they unfortunately had poor parents who couldn’t take care of them or their mothers died. So, in such a case, the baby needed to be given ample support and care to survive,” she claimed.
Child abduction in Nigeria
Child abduction is fast becoming a major problem in Nigeria, with several cases reported in Gombe and other parts of the North.
In September 2020, the police in Gombe disclosed that they uncovered a human trafficking ring and rescued 12 children
“The suspect we have in our custody today took to her heels since 2017; she has been on the run, changing locations, and in her custody, we found 12 children from various locations.
“We can’t comfortably say they are all from Gombe. This breakthrough was done painstakingly by the combined team of the police and parents in conjunction with the state government because they provided all the logistics.”
In December, 2023, the police in Anambra State said they arrested a couple trafficking a one-month-old baby from Lagos. According to a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the interception was made at the River Niger Bridgehead in Onitsha on December 17.
In June 2023, five children were rescued from two suspected child traffickers in Auchi, Edo State. The children, all girls, aged between seven and nine, who travelled unaccompanied, were said to have arrived at Auchi in the evening from Kaduna and were trying to establish contact with the two suspected female traffickers to take them to Onitsha before they were rescued.
In September 2021, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Makurdi Zonal Command, said it arrested two suspects in connection with the sale of babies in the state.
The Zonal Commander, Mrs Gloria Bai, who disclosed this in Makurdi, the state capital, said two young victims were taken from Gboko and sold out in Lagos.
Khadijah did not act alone – Police
The Gombe State Police command explained that Khadija colluded with 15 others, including staff of Gombe Local Government Area, involved in the sale of babies, stressing that they were arrested following an intelligence report received from the Barunde community.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mahid Abubakar, said, “The community claimed that sometime within last year, one Khadija Shehu-Manzo and 15 others were involved in selling young babies to people in need.
“Upon receipt of the report, detectives attached to Low-Cost Division swung into action where a full-blown investigation was carried out and the said Khadija was arrested.”
While Khadijah strongly denied her involvement in the crime, the police spokesman said, “The remaining suspects arrested confirmed that Shehu-Manzo allegedly sold two babies to Ukamaka Ugo on different occasions.
“Shehu-Manzo sold one child (for) N400,000 (and) out of the money (that came) from Tina Raphael, she gave N200,000 to one Haruna Abubakar, who is working with the social welfare (office in) Gombe in that he was going to make relevant documentation available for proper handing over of the child.
“Yahaya Sulaiman was the person who received the money on Abubakar’s behalf.
“Ukamaka Ugo bought two children; they are presently in Lagos and Anambra. We are working to see how to recover them as well,” he added.
Council official denies wrongdoing
But Abubakar, the Head of the Education and Social Development Department responsible for legitimising child adoption process in the Gombe Local Government Area, said the N200,000 he received from Khadijah was a gift and not a proceeds of crime.
The 50-year-old, “I work with the Gombe Local Government in the Education, Social Development Department. I was involved in a case through Hadisah (Khadijah) who came to our office to tell me that her sister was given a child for adoption and that they sent them to come to our office for us to document everything.”
“I told them since the mother of the child had passed away (died), she should invite the grandfather to come so that I can interview him. When he came, he said the same thing. So Hadisah (Khadijah) said she needed paper (documentation), but I objected saying there were procedures to getting a paper as there was a need to write applications for fostering, which included giving the paper to the ward head of their area to sign,
“It also included the passport of the woman who needed the child and the husband before one can proceed and it must be addressed to the Chairman of the Gombe Local Government Area then we can process the document to give you paper.”
On the alleged sum received, Abubakar added, “I told her to apply for the letter as we couldn’t give her the paper without proof. The money she gave I used N20,000 out of the money to give to the grandfather, and the rest (was) for us to share.
“She didn’t bring the application. I didn’t charge her N200,000; she decided to give me the money, I didn’t charge her anything as we don’t charge to process documents.”
When contacted by our correspondent, the state coordinator of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Aminu Shira, declined comment.
He said, “After completing the investigation, we will call the media for a briefing. Anything I tell you will tamper with it (the investigation).”
Child adoption without due process is human trafficking, says HRC
However, the Human Rights Commission taking custody of a child without following the process back by law was tantamount to human trafficking.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Public Relations Officer of the Gombe officer of the NHC, Alola Alfinti, said, “You can’t just pick someone from the street or just take a child and adopt them. There are laid down procedures, and legal processes up to a court.
“You can have legal custody of a child if you follow the process but there are gatekeepers in the state when it comes to this, including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development which has a registry. If you go there, they would give you the child but you would have to complete the court processes.”
Alfinti, explained that a child adoption process could take many years to complete.
“I remember there was a time when one child was adopted in Gombe. It took about 10 years and they (foster parents) wanted to fly him abroad.
“They were caught at the airport (with the child) but they had to come back to Gombe to find out whether they followed laid down processes. Fortunately, when they came, documents were backing the child’s adoption. If you follow the processes, there wouldn’t be problems,” he added.
PUNCH
Okwudili Ndiwe, popularly known as Derico Nwamama, was a notorious Nigerian armed robber and serial killer who terrorized parts of Anambra State, particularly Onitsha and its environs, between 2000 and 2001. He became one of Nigeria’s most feared criminals because of his gang’s involvement in armed robberies, killings, and attacks on police officers and civilians. Reports from the time attributed more than 100 civilian deaths and the killing of numerous police officers to his gang, though some figures vary by source.
Derico reportedly began as a street urchin and pickpocket before graduating to violent armed robbery. His activities created widespread fear across southeastern Nigeria, leading traders and residents to demand stronger action against criminal gangs.
In July 2001, he was captured by the Bakassi Boys after the group was invited to help tackle violent crime in Anambra State. Rather than being handed over to the police for trial, he was publicly executed by beheading in Onitsha, an act that drew both public approval from some residents and strong condemnation from human rights organizations because it was an extrajudicial killing.
Derico’s story remains one of the most infamous episodes in Nigeria’s criminal history and is often cited in discussions about crime, vigilantism, and the rule of law in the country.
Derico’s reign of terror lasted only about a year (2000–2001), but it left a lasting mark on Anambra State. Some accounts are well documented, while others have become part of local folklore, so it’s important to distinguish between verified facts and widely repeated stories.
Some of his most notorious escapades include:
The Upper Iweka luxury bus massacre (December 2000): This is considered his most infamous crime. His gang reportedly stopped a Lagos-bound luxury bus at Upper Iweka in Onitsha, robbed the passengers, and then executed most of them. Reports say about 55 of the 59 passengers were killed, with only a handful surviving.
Repeated bank robberies: Derico’s gang carried out daring raids on banks in Onitsha, escaping with millions of naira at a time when police struggled to stop them.
Killing of police officers: He was blamed for the deaths of around 25 police officers, often attacking patrol teams and police checkpoints. His gang became notorious for directly confronting law enforcement rather than avoiding them.
The killing of Chiejina: According to widely circulated accounts, Derico was once allied with another feared criminal, Chiejina. After Chiejina allegedly murdered Derico’s father, Derico tracked him down and shot him dead, ending his rival’s reign before becoming the dominant crime boss himself. This story is widely recounted but is based largely on historical narratives rather than court records.
Control through fear: Traders, transporters, and residents in Onitsha, Nkpor, Nnewi, Ihiala, and nearby towns reportedly lived in fear of his gang. Some accounts claim he would send advance warnings before attacks to demonstrate that security agencies could not stop him.
His downfall came in July 2001 when the Bakassi Boys captured him near the Niger Bridge after an intelligence-led operation. Six days later, he was publicly beheaded in Onitsha without trial, an extrajudicial execution that was celebrated by many residents but condemned by human rights groups.
He was beheaded by Bakassi at the public square at Ochanja Market Onitsha on July 9, 2001.
Crime
Traditional rulers indispensable partners in community policing, security management – CP Giwa
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mamman Giwa, says traditional rulers remain indispensable partners in community policing and grassroots security management.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday in Enugu after the commissioner’s stakeholders’ engagement visit to the leadership of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council on Friday.
The commissioner noted that traditional rulers are indispensable and imperative in grassroots security matters due to their closeness to the people and understanding of the security dynamics within their communities.
He emphasised that the command would continue to leverage their support in intelligence gathering, crime prevention, conflict resolution, and the prompt reporting of suspicious activities.
According to him, the command is reaffirming its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the traditional institution in the fight against crime and criminality across the state.
Responding to questions from the traditional rulers, the commissioner pledged to continue to accord them due respect and recognition as custodians of peace and order in their communities.
He appreciated their continued support in promoting peace and security across the state.
The state police boss urged them to sustain their partnership with the police by encouraging residents to remain law-abiding and security-conscious.
Speaking, the Council, led by its Chairman, Igwe Samuel Asadu, appreciated the commissioner for the visit and commended his pragmatic leadership in combating crime and enhancing public safety in the state.
Describing him as “God-sent,” the traditional rulers offered him their royal blessings and prayed for his continued success.
They reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting police initiatives that promote peace and security across the state.
Also present at the engagement were the Council’s Deputy Chairman, Igwe Julius Nnaji; the Council’s Public Relations Officer, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu; and Chairmen of the various Local Government Traditional Rulers’ Councils.
Others are: the Council’s former Chairman, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, and its First Grand Patron, Igwe Abel Nwobodo.
The engagement underscores the commissioner’s commitment to sustained collaboration with critical stakeholders to advance community policing, public trust-building, proactive crime prevention, and the maintenance of law and order.
Onanuga disclosed this in a post on his X handle, saying, “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies.”
He later revealed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, while several others were neutralised.
He also dismissed reports that the victims were freed through a prisoner exchange, stating that there was “no quid pro quo” because one of the terrorist kingpins whose release had been demanded by the kidnappers remains on trial for alleged terrorism-related offences.
The announcement caps months of denials, protests and false alarms since gunmen stormed three schools in the area on May 15, abducting 46 pupils, students and teachers.
Here is how the 56-day saga unfolded.
May 15: The attack
Armed men numbering in the dozens, some dressed in military fatigues and riding motorcycles, stormed three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, near Ogbomoso — Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
They opened fire before seizing pupils, students and teachers, including a toddler aged two. At least one person was killed during the raid.
Governor Seyi Makinde later confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were taken from Baptist Nursery and Primary.
In total, 39 pupils and seven teachers — 46 victims — were confirmed abducted, including the school principal, Folawe Alamu.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack as barbaric and vowed a rescue operation, with the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, dispatching more detectives to Oyo State to lead a technology-driven operation.
Late May: The beheading of Michael Oyedokun
Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was beheaded by his captors in a video that sparked nationwide condemnation and hardened public anger toward the government’s handling of the crisis. The killing was reportedly intended to deter security operatives closing in on the kidnappers’ camp.
Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and directed a specialised rescue unit to intensify operations.
Around this time, reports emerged that the kidnappers had opened communication channels with the state government, demanding the release of two detained Boko Haram/Ansaru commanders, Mahmud Usman (“Abu Bara’a”) and his deputy Abubakar Abba, as a condition for freeing the victims.
June 1: NUT declares indefinite strike
The Nigeria Union of Teachers ordered all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely, demanding the government secure the victims’ release before schools reopened. Solidarity rallies followed across state capitals on June 2.
Early-mid June: Fake “release” claims proliferate
At least three separate waves of misinformation falsely claimed the victims had been freed.. Oyo Police and the state government repeatedly and firmly debunked each claim, while fact-checkers (Africa Check) intervened publicly.
Late June: Ransom allegations, pressure campaigns
Social media activist VeryDarkMan (Martins Otse) led protests to the Oyo governor’s office. The Oyo government, through Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade, repeatedly denied any ransom payment. Civil society groups, including Socialist Labour, accused the government of complacency and demanded accountability.
July 2: NUT suspends strike
After roughly a month of industrial action, the NUT called off its strike, citing government assurances that efforts to secure the victims’ release were intensifying, and citing concern for pupils’ lost academic time.
July 8-9: Defence minister confirms standoff over use of force
Defence Minister Christopher Musa disclosed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the captives if security forces attempted a forceful rescue, explaining the extended timeline and the shift toward a negotiated approach. Army Chief Waidi Shaibu said troops were making “tremendous progress” and had identified associates of the kidnappers.
July 10: Freedom, at last
Onanuga announced that all the kidnapped pupils and teachers had been rescued by security agencies, bringing the 56-day ordeal to an end.
He disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in DSS custody, while some others were neutralised.
While the victims’ rescue brings an end to the 56-day ordeal, security agencies are expected to provide a comprehensive account of the operation, including details of the arrests and the circumstances surrounding the rescue.
A suspected thief has been arrested for allegedly stealing electrical bulbs and other fittings from a classroom at the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State.
The suspect was apprehended on Wednesday by the university’s security personnel during a heavy downpour. The institution’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Charles Nda Homsuk, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that security operatives swiftly foiled the alleged theft and recovered the stolen electrical items.
According to Homsuk, the suspect has been handed over to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property on campus through proactive security measures.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Noel Wannang, commended the Chief Security Officer, Wing Commander Paul Maimako Yusuf (retd.), and members of the university’s security unit for their vigilance and professionalism. He said their prompt response prevented the theft and underscored the effectiveness of the institution’s security architecture.
The Chief Security Officer also praised the university security personnel, hunters engaged for night patrols, and other stakeholders for their collaborative efforts in strengthening campus security.
He urged students, staff, and members of the university community to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious individuals, unusual movements, or any security threats to the institution’s Security Department.
He explained that the kidnappers were using the children as leverage to secure the release of their commanders in military custody.
“For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander.
The minister’s comments come nearly eight weeks after gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and two other schools in Esinle, in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on May 15.
Speaking further on measures to curb banditry and kidnapping, Musa backed the death penalty for perpetrators, saying weak laws had emboldened criminals.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” he added.
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