Abuja Pastor and Accomplices Arrested for Attempted Child Trafficking
In a significant crackdown on child trafficking, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested Pastor Bassey Ajah, the General Overseer of Wells of Salvation Church in Byazhin, Abuja, along with three accomplices, for attempting to traffic two children.
According to a statement released by FCT Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh, the arrest followed a distress call received around 2:00 am from officials at Wazobia Motor Park in Gwagwalada. The officials reported suspicious behavior from a man attempting to travel with a young child.
Police operatives swiftly responded and apprehended one Isreal Ajah as he attempted to board a vehicle bound for Owerri, Imo State, with a seven-year-old boy. Preliminary investigations revealed that the child had been handed over to Isreal by his elder brother, Pastor Prince Bassey Ajah.
Further investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects: Nancy Atoo and Deaconess Vera Duru. A search of Atoo’s residence resulted in the rescue of another victim, a four-year-old girl identified only as Mercy—a name given to her by the suspects. 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.
The police disclosed that both children were being trafficked to Owerri for sale. The suspects confessed that the boy was to be sold for ₦1.2 million, with the transaction allegedly facilitated by Deaconess Duru.
The boy has since been reunited with his family, while the girl remains in protective custody. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend any other individuals involved in the trafficking network.
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