The Police Response Team of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has arrested Prince Bassey Ajah, the General Overseer and pastor of “Wells of Salvation” Church, situated in the Byazhin Across area of Kubwa. The arrest was made following his alleged involvement in a child trafficking operation.
According to reports, Pastor Ajah is accused of handing over a seven-year-old boy to his younger brother, Israel Ajah. Israel was intercepted and apprehended while attempting to board a commercial vehicle to Owerri, Imo State, with the child in his custody.
The arrest took place in the early hours of May 24, 2025, after the Gwagwalada Area Command received a distress call from concerned staff at the Wazobia Motor Park. The report indicated that a man was behaving suspiciously while trying to travel with a young child. Responding swiftly, officers from the Police Emergency Response Team arrived at the scene and arrested Israel Ajah.
During the initial investigation, Israel confessed that the child had been handed over to him by his elder brother, Pastor Bassey Ajah. Further inquiries revealed that the boy, identified as Muktar Hassan, was being trafficked and was to be sold for ₦1.2 million. The transaction was allegedly arranged by one of the pastor’s accomplices, identified as Deaconess Vera Duru.
In connection with the case, two additional suspects, Nancy Atoo and Deaconess Vera Duru, were also arrested. A subsequent search at the residence of Nancy Atoo led to the rescue of another child — a four-year-old girl known only as “Mercy,” a name she was given by the suspect. Police disclosed that no documentation or identification was found for the girl, who is now in protective custody while authorities attempt to locate her biological family.
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed these developments in a statement released on Saturday. She said that the seven-year-old boy, Muktar Hassan, has since been reunited with his family. Adeh added that investigations revealed both children were intended to be trafficked to Owerri for sale.
In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao Adewale, commended the alertness and timely intervention of the Wazobia Motor Park officials. He further advised parents and guardians to be vigilant and avoid sending young children on errands alone, especially without proper supervision.