60 Years Old Orphanage Owner, Others Arrested for Child Trafficking

…26 Children Sold between N1-N3 million Each Recovered

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested a 60 years old prominent member of the Orphanage Owners Umbrella body in Nigeria and founder of an internationally recognized Civil Society Organization, National Council of Child’s Right Advocates of Nigeria (NACRAN), based in Benue State, (name withed), in connection with an alleged large-scale case of child trafficking, child sale, and illegal adoption.

A statement by the National Press Officer of the agency, Vincent Adekoye, on Sunday read: in a major breakthrough led by operatives of the agency, Markudi Command, the agency rescued 26 children, out of the over 300 suspected to have been trafficked and sold to different persons within Benue, Enugu, Lagos, Nasarawa, and Abuja, while about 274 others are still being traced, as investigations intensify to unravel the full extent of the syndicate’s activities.

He said also arrested with the suspect is a suspected 34-year-old female accomplice, and two other orphanage operators in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and Nasarawa State, where some allegedly trafficked children were recovered.

The sad development came barely a few weeks after the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello expressed concern over the unwholesome activities of some operators of orphanages in Nigeria and called on the various State ministries of Women Affairs to beam searchlights on the centres to checkmate their operations.

He said the latest operation by the agency was a continuation of the renewed crackdown on orphanages and care homes across the country ordered by the Director General of NAPTIP following a series of reported cases of alleged infractions and illegal activities by the operators of the orphanages.

He revealed that the detail of the case indicates that on 1st May 2025, a complaint was lodged by a man who reported that his four-year-old son was given out by his mother-in-law to an NGO without his consent. When he demanded the return of his child, he was told he could only see him after three years.

He noted that this prompted a petition to NAPTIP, leading to the arrest of several suspects and the uncovering of a wider network involved in trafficking and illegal adoption of children.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects feasted on the vulnerability of the rural communities in Benue State through a voodoo initiative called “Back to School Project” to recruit children from crisis-ridden communities in Guma local government area, especially in areas affected by farmer–herder conflicts such as Daudu, Yelwata, and, and trafficked them to Abuja, Nasarawa, Enugu, and Lagos States.

He revealed that the suspects organized meetings with villagers and traditional leaders, convincing them that the project would sponsor children’s education. Parents were deceived into signing consent forms or verbally agreeing to release their children, with promises that they would see them again after three years, adding that over 300 children were reportedly handed over to the suspects. Some parents were unaware or did not sign any consent forms.

He said the children, aged between one and thirteen years, were transported to orphanage homes in Abuja and Nasarawa States, where they were allegedly sold to interested couples under the guise of adoption, for amounts ranging from ₦1 million to ₦3 million per child.

He revealed that some of the orphanages identified were used as holding centres where children awaited “adoption” or sale, include four orphanage homes located at Kaigini, Kubuwa Expressway, Abuja; Masaka Area 1, Mararaba, by Abaca Road; and Mararaba, behind the International Market, have been linked to the syndicate and are currently under investigation.

He said one complainant alleged that he paid N2.8 million as an adoption fee and N100,000 consultancy fee to a member of the syndicate.

He alleged the identities of many rescued children had been changed, complicating tracing efforts.

Speaking on the development, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, described the situation as unbelievable and mind-bugling.

She said, “Arising from the case at hand, I wish to say that issues of child trafficking and adoption are becoming a national crisis that requires urgent attention from all relevant stakeholders.

“A few weeks ago, based on credible intelligence, I expressed concern and alerted the State Ministries of Women Affairs on the unpatriotic and illegal activities of some Orphanage Operators across the Country.

“It is painful that some unpatriotic elements with recognized entities and status, now use their social class to deceive the already vulnerable people in the crisis-prone communities, traffic their children, most of whom narrowly escape death in the wake of communal or farmer–herder clashes, and sell them to challenged parents in the name of adoption without the valid legal consent of the parents.

“This is unacceptable, and those already arrested in connection with this wicked act shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.

60 Years Old Orphanage Owner, Others Arrested for Child Trafficking

VP Shettima Leads Tributes At Funeral Of CBN Deputy Governor’s Mother

** Says Deaconess Usoro’s daughter, Ms Emen, embodies a mother’s dream fulfilled

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM has paid glowing tribute to the late Deaconess Eno Nnana Usoro, mother of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor Ms. Emem Nnana Usoro, describing her as a woman whose life exemplified grace, faith, and service to humanity.

He noted that the late Deaconess’ enduring legacy is evident in the lives of her children, particularly her daughter, the CBN Deputy Governor, whom he described as a mother’s dream fulfilled.

Speaking on Saturday at the funeral reception of the deceased held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, the Vice President said the late Deaconess Usoro’s life was a profound testimony of the power of prayer and the transformative influence of motherhood anchored in faith.

“The exemplary Ms. Emem Nnana Usoro is a daughter she couldn’t have been prouder of. She stands today as a symbol of a mother’s dream fulfilled—a story defined by sacrifice, prayer, and perseverance,” VP Shettima said.

The Vice President described Ms. Emem Usoro’s rise to the CBN Deputy Governor’s position as a testament to her mother’s refusal to settle for mediocrity and her belief in excellence anchored in faith.

“The height that Ms. Usoro has attained in public service, as a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, tells the story of a mother who refused to settle for mediocrity, who believed that her child could compete with the best of the world’s minds and still remain anchored in faith,” he said.

VP Shettima emphasised that Deaconess Usoro was more than a mother to her family, serving as a pillar of her church, a mentor to women, and support for the less privileged.

He noted that she exemplified humility and compassion while raising her family to understand that excellence without empathy is emptiness.

“When we celebrate the Late Deaconess Eno Nnana Usoro’s achievements, what readily comes to us are the stations of those she left behind. When we celebrate them, we are in truth celebrating the woman who shaped their character—the mother who toiled in silence, whose sacrifices were the scaffolds upon which their destiny was built,” the Vice President noted.

He added, “Those who live in the service of others never truly die. They are resurrected in every act of goodness that continues in their name.”

On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT and the Federal Government, VP Shettima extended condolences to the Usoro family, describing the deceased’s life as “a sermon, her kindness a ministry, her legacy an inheritance that will outlive her.”

The Vice President urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from the late matriarch’s example, noting that success in life stems from being nurtured by love, discipline, and prayer.

“Let us not say that Mama is gone. Let us say that she has returned home to rest from her labours,” VP Shettima said, while praying for divine strength for the bereaved family.

Earlier, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State @aksgovt, Pastor Umo Eno @_PastorUmoEno, paid glowing tribute to the deceased and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family, praying for the repose of the soul of late Mama Eno Nnana Usoro.

“When we came to the world, a few of us came very quietly, but when you leave and the ovation is high, it shows the lives you have touched. So, I know that you must be happy that God has helped you give your mother this honour. You have brought Nigerians, standing to send her home in glowing bliss.”

The Governor thanked God for her life and, on behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, welcomed all guests, and commended Vice President Shettima for honouring the invitation to visit Akwa Ibom State, saying “it shows the love he has for the Akwa Ibom people and for the family.”

The President of the Senate @SPNigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the deceased lived a life worthy of emulation, noting that “today heaven is happy to receive an angel in the late Eno Nnana Usoro.”

“My dear sister, the Deputy Governor of CBN, Emem Usoro, let me thank you for doing Akwa Ibom proud, let me thank you for the resounding applause and ovation with which you have sent your beloved mother to heaven,” Senator Akpabio said.

“I thank you and your brothers and sisters for this wonderful tribute. I thank God Almighty for your life and the lives of your family and, like I said in the Church, may the peace of the Lord which surpasses all understanding, console you and take care of you now and forever.”

The Senate President, who appreciated the Vice President for his presence at the event, noted that the people of Akwa Ibom State hold the Vice President in high esteem.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Rep. Abdulmumini Ari; members of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council; captains of industry; staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria; members of the State and National Assemblies; chief executives of banks; and other top government functionaries.

VP Shettima Leads Tributes At Funeral Of CBN Deputy Governor’s Mother

Troops repel ISWAP attack on Gamboru Ngala

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled an attempted infiltration by fighters of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) in Gamboru Ngala, a border town in northern Borno State.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the insurgents launched the attack on Saturday evening at about 6:15 p.m., attempting to infiltrate through the Flatari axis of Gamboru.

The sources said the troops swiftly responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to retreat after a brief exchange of gunfire.

“No adverse report was recorded during the encounter. The troops are currently on exploitation to track fleeing elements,” one of the sources said.

The situation in Gamboru Ngala has since returned to normal as residents commended the vigilance and prompt response of the military.

Gamboru Ngala, which shares a border with Cameroon, has been one of the strategic towns targeted by insurgents due to its proximity to transnational routes used for smuggling and movement of fighters.

The latest attack comes amid sustained military operations across the North-East aimed at dismantling remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists still operating in isolated enclaves.

Troops repel ISWAP attack on Gamboru Ngala