The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a pastor and three accomplices over theft of two children.
Spokesperson of the command SP Josephine Adeh disclosed this in a statement announcing the rescue of the two children.
“On the 24th of May 2025, at about 2:00 a.m., a distress call was received by the Gwagwalada Area Command from officials of Wazobia Motor Park, Gwagwalada, reporting a male exhibiting suspicious behavior while attempting to travel with a young child.
“Acting swiftly, a Police Emergency Response Team was dispatched to the scene, where one Isreal Ajah was arrested while attempting to board a vehicle to Owerri, Imo State, with a 7-year-old boy in his custody.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the child was handed over to the suspect by his elder brother, one Rev. Pastor Prince Bassey Ajah, the pastor and General Overseer (Daddy G.O.) of “Wells of Salvation” Church located in Byazhin Across. Pastor Prince Ajah was promptly arrested alongside two other accomplices identified as Nancy Atoo and Deaconess Vera Duru.
“A search conducted at the residence of Nancy Atoo led to the rescue of a second victim, a 4-year-old girl identified only as “Mercy”, a name given to her by the suspect.
“Further investigation revealed that both children were being trafficked to Owerri for sale. The suspects confessed that Muktar Hassan was to be sold for ₦1.2 million through arrangements facilitated by Deaconess Vera Duru,” the statement said.
“No documentation or identifying information was found for the child, who is currently in protective custody as efforts are underway to trace her biological family. While Muktar has since been reunited with his family.
Meanwhile, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, has commended the vigilance and prompt response of officials at Wazobia Motor Park.
He also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and avoid sending underage children on errands alone.
Mukhtar’s grandmother, popularly known as Maman Shamsiyya, said her grandson was sent to pick up a chair and bring home, but he was taken away by traffickers.
She said when he did not return after some time, they reported the matter to the police. “Two weeks after, the police called and asked us to go to a police station in Gwagwalada and see a child that was rescued. When we went there, we found our grandson.”
