Onitsha Police Bust: Man Confesses to Selling Friend's Child for N1.3 Million, Family Members Also Held

A suspected child trafficker, Sunday Onome, has admitted to selling his close friend's son for a sum of N1.3 million. Onome's confession came after his arrest in Onitsha, Anambra State, by operatives from the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Unit (IRU) and the Vicious Crime Response Unit (VCRU). During the operation, his girlfriend and son were also taken into custody, and two children, believed to be victims of a trafficking ring, were successfully rescued.

Onome reportedly confessed to his involvement in multiple child trafficking schemes, claiming he profited a total of N3.6 million from two separate transactions. He detailed that the initial operation involved the son of a friend, whom he handed over to other members of the syndicate for N1.3 million.

According to Onome, severe financial difficulties, exacerbated by the loss of his job as a private driver, led him to connect with individuals engaged in the illicit trade. He further stated that his involvement deepened after he began a relationship with a woman who allegedly co-orchestrated operations within the network.

Investigations revealed Onome's claims that subsequent trafficking activities included moving children across various states. He alleged that instructions were communicated via telephone, and payments were transferred directly into his bank account upon the successful completion of each assignment. He also implicated his girlfriend, stating she played a crucial role in managing logistics for the network, while his son assisted in transporting children to designated handover points.

In his most recent assignment, Onome confessed to staying with two children in a hotel in Onitsha, awaiting contact from those scheduled to receive them. However, police tracked the suspects' movements, leading to their arrest before the planned handover could occur.

Authorities have indicated that efforts are currently underway to corroborate Onome’s statements, identify other participants in the alleged trafficking syndicate, and ascertain the full scope of the network’s activities. Police officials have characterized this case as part of a broader campaign against child trafficking, cautioning that criminal organizations are increasingly exploiting personal trust and informal networks to recruit victims. The police reiterated that investigations are ongoing and all suspects maintain their presumption of innocence until proven guilty.