A suspected child trafficker has allegedly confessed to selling his friend’s son for N1.3 million after police rescued two children during a trafficking operation.
A man identified as Sunday Onome has allegedly confessed to his involvement in a child trafficking network after being arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to investigators, the suspect admitted to selling the son of one of his close friends for N1.3 million and participating in other trafficking operations that earned him millions of naira.
The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Response Unit (FIR) through its Vicious Crime Response Unit (VCRU) during a coordinated operation in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Police also arrested the suspect’s girlfriend and son, while rescuing two children believed to have been victims of an ongoing trafficking operation before they could allegedly be handed over to other members of the syndicate.
During interrogation, Onome reportedly admitted that he had taken part in more than one child trafficking mission, claiming he received a combined payment of N3.6 million from two separate assignments.
He allegedly disclosed that one of those operations involved the child of a trusted friend, whom he said was sold to members of the trafficking network for N1.3 million.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that his descent into criminal activity began after he lost his job as a private driver and struggled financially.
According to his statement, his economic hardship exposed him to individuals involved in child trafficking, eventually drawing him into the illegal enterprise.
He further claimed that his involvement deepened after he became romantically involved with a woman who allegedly served as one of the coordinators of the trafficking ring. The relationship, he said, led him to participate more actively in the syndicate’s operations.
According to his account, the group operated across several states, with assignments coordinated remotely through telephone conversations.
He alleged that instructions were issued by unidentified handlers, while payments for completed operations were transferred directly into his personal bank account.
Investigators were also told that his girlfriend allegedly handled parts of the logistics for the trafficking activities, while his son reportedly assisted by transporting children to agreed locations where they would be handed over to other members of the network.
Speaking further, Onome allegedly revealed that during his latest assignment, he checked into a hotel in Onitsha with two children and waited for instructions from individuals expected to receive them.
However, before the planned handover could take place, police operatives tracked their movements, stormed the location and arrested the suspects, successfully rescuing the children.
Authorities said the operation prevented what could have become another successful trafficking transaction and has provided investigators with fresh leads into the activities of the suspected criminal network.
Police said investigations are continuing to verify every aspect of the suspect’s confession, identify other individuals allegedly connected to the syndicate, and determine the full scope of its operations.
Detectives are also working to establish the identities of other possible victims and trace the network’s activities across different parts of the country.
The Nigeria Police Force described the case as part of its broader campaign against child trafficking and other organised crimes.
Authorities warned that trafficking syndicates are increasingly taking advantage of trusted relationships, family connections and informal social networks to lure or obtain children for illegal purposes.
Police also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving children to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains crucial in dismantling trafficking networks.
The Force, however, emphasised that investigations remain ongoing and reminded the public that all those arrested in connection with the case are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a competent court of law.
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