The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered a suspected child trafficking syndicate operating under the cover of an orphanage home in the Saburi area of Abuja.
The discovery followed a petition submitted on January 29, 2026, by concerned members of the Saburi community to the Office of the Commissioner of Police. The petition raised the alarm over suspicious activities linked to the orphanage.
Upon receiving the petition, the command launched a discreet investigation into the facility.
Preliminary findings revealed that the operators of the orphanage allegedly targeted indigent families in rural communities across Nigeria. They obtained custody of the children under the guise of providing them with access to education in urban centres and promising a better life.
However, investigations showed that the children were allegedly trafficked to prospective buyers in different parts of the country through the orphanage.
The police said that out of 46 children believed to have been trafficked through the illegal operation, 21 had so far been rescued.
The rescued children are currently undergoing procedures aimed at ensuring their safe reunification with their biological parents.
Efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining victims and apprehend all individuals connected to the crime.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Josephine Adeh, urged parents and guardians to be vigilant about the welfare of their children. She warned that not all offers of sponsorship or better opportunities are genuine.
She also commended members of the Saburi community for their vigilance and cooperation, encouraging residents to promptly report suspicious persons or activities through the command’s emergency lines.
