BY CHIKA KWAMBA/OGORAMAKA AMOS/CHIJIOKE OYE/RITA OYIBOKA/JUDITH OBIANUA
At the bustling Nkpor Central Park in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, 32-year-old Joshua Simeon sat uneasily beside a distressed five-year-old girl. His awkward attempts to console her only heightened the suspicions of onlookers, who quickly alerted the authorities. Upon investigation, police discovered that the child, Nkemdilim Jacob, had been forcefully taken from her parents in Umuota Village, Idemili North.
According to the Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, officers from the Ogidi Area Command acted on credible intelligence and arrested Simeon last Saturday as he attempted to flee with the child. “The suspect had already boarded a commercial vehicle and was en route to an unknown destination when he was apprehended,” Ikenga confirmed.
This incident is just one in a string of alarming cases that highlight Nigeria’s deepening crisis of baby theft and child trafficking—an underground trade driven by desperation, organized crime, and systemic failures. While human trafficking has long plagued the country, the increasing black-market demand for infants and young children has exposed serious vulnerabilities in hospitals, communities, and law enforcement agencies.
Recent cases further underscore the alarming scale of the problem. In July 2024, the Lagos State Police Command dismantled a trafficking network, rescuing a two-month-old baby who had been sold multiple times, with the final transaction reaching ₦2,350,000. Similarly, in January 2024, authorities in Gombe State arrested 16 suspects linked to a child trafficking syndicate, rescuing three infants from a network resembling a “baby factory.”
These incidents paint a grim picture of a thriving trade where children are treated as commodities. Despite government efforts to curb it, child trafficking continues to flourish, exploiting the most vulnerable members of society. The persistence of these crimes calls for urgent and decisive action—stronger enforcement, stricter penalties, and greater public awareness—to dismantle trafficking rings and protect Nigeria’s children from this growing menace.
Residents of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital spoke to The Pointer, sharing their views on this growing crisis. Mrs Betty Tamuno, a sociologist and counsellor, described child trafficking as an “unjustified act of kidnapping and forcefully taking children from their parents.”
“These children often end up being sold for prostitution or forced labour. Based on research, children aged zero to 16 are the most vulnerable. They are taken from schools, churches, hospitals, and shops, only to be transported to unknown destinations, causing immense emotional and mental trauma to their families,” she said.
Tamuno recalled a chilling case where a woman’s five children were kidnapped by their home lesson teacher. ‘’Imagine the pain of these parents, forcefully separated from their children.” She also pointed out the rising prevalence of “baby factories.”
“These criminals deceive kidnapped or vulnerable teenage pregnant women, forcing them to give birth. The babies are then sold, with male infants often fetching higher prices. It’s heartbreaking to see the inhumane conditions these women endure.”
While fielding responses from parents whose children were lost to the hands of traffickers, our correspondent in Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area spoke to Mrs Joan Iwedike who opined that the government should provide stronger law enforcement and prosecution, and ensure that traffickers are arrested, prosecuted, and given strict punishments to serve as a deterrent to others.
Iwedike pointed out that the government should continue to strengthen border control to prevent the illegal movement of children across states and international borders. She pleaded that government agencies should launch nationwide campaigns to educate parents, communities, and children about the dangers of trafficking and provide financial support, skills acquisition, and job opportunities to reduce poverty, which she identified as the root cause of trafficking.
Iwedike said that the government should as a matter of urgency offer free and compulsory education, particularly in rural areas, to reduce the vulnerability of children, and also establish more shelters and support systems for rescued victims to help them reintegrate into society.
Another parent whose child was a victim of abduction by herdsmen, Ifeatu Okoye suggested that the government should introduce life imprisonment or death penalties for those involved in child trafficking.
Okoye added that a reward system be provided for whistleblowers to encourage citizens to report traffickers by offering financial rewards and protection, adding that the government should ensure that children are in school and accounted for, and enforce laws against child labour, especially in urban areas.
Like other respondents, Okoye pleaded that the government should provide financial aid and empowerment programs for vulnerable families to prevent them from selling or giving away their children, admitting that some parents also willingly sell their children.
He posited that the use of technology and data collection would go a long way in curbing the menace, even as he proposed a national child identification system to track missing children and bring traffickers to face the wrath of the law.
Surprisingly, Okoye hinted that some orphanages and even religious places such as churches, and shrines are involved in trafficking and illegal adoptions, adding that the government should expand its regulatory net on these institutions.
Meanwhile, a counsellor at the Comprehensive Secondary School Amichi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra state, Mrs Codelia Oforsogwu, asked a pertinent question: Who should the government hold responsible for the crime? She stressed that criminals who abduct, deceive, or exploit children must face severe punishment.
Oforsogwu disclosed that those who willingly sell or give away their children should also be held accountable and severely punished, corrupt officials who aid traffickers or fail to enforce anti-trafficking laws should be punished, adding that the government should ensure that unregistered or illegal orphanages, school and hospitals should be shut down. Their owners should be prosecuted as they could become breeding grounds for child trafficking or child sales.
In an interview with our correspondent in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, the founder of the Revival Evangelical Network, Barr. Rosemary Ngozichukwu remarked on the moral decay that contributes to these heinous acts. “It starts from the home. If anyone can steal, sell, or traffic a baby, it speaks volumes about character. We must reflect on how we have lost our values. When people choose money over morality, we see the consequences in society. How can one justify selling a child for financial gain? This is indicative of a deeper moral decay. Success is not merely about money; it’s about fulfilling your purpose in life.
“We must ask ourselves what we are instilling in our children. The church and families both play pivotal roles in shaping character. The messages we impart at home and from the pulpit are crucial,” she asserted.
When discussing the role of the government, she emphasised the need for comprehensive policies and community outreach. “We must implement education campaigns that raise awareness about trafficking and support parents in safeguarding their children. Parents should also monitor their environments and report suspicious activities to the authorities. This grassroots approach can be very effective,” she suggested.
She also urged society to empower individuals. “If people, especially women are empowered to use their skills and talents, they will not resort to desperate measures, like selling their children. We must cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong work ethic,” Ngozichukwu encouraged.
In another discussion, a businesswoman and mother of five, Mrs. Joy Ozo shared her perspective on the societal implications of baby theft. When asked who bears the responsibility for this issue, she replied, “It’s a collective problem. While the government and society must shoulder some blame, parents also need to step up. We are the first line of defence for our children.”
Mrs Ozo pointed out that societal values must shift. “We need to cultivate a culture where children are valued and protected. These days are hard, and parents should be careful enough to only bear children they can adequately care for, to avoid the temptation of selling them.
“In my neighbourhood, there are many children just walking around the streets, not attending school, and looking for parties to attend where they can get free food. Some are as young as six. These children are prime targets of child theft and trafficking. Parents must also be vigilant and educate their children about safety. Only last year, two of my children were almost kidnapped by a bike rider who was pretending to have forgotten the route and was attempting to take them through a lonely path. If I had not taught them to vehemently decline, only God knows what might have happened,” she said.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of Family Values, Renaissance and Empowerment Initiative, Amb. Tina Uche highlighted the pressing issue of baby theft and trafficking, which has become a disturbing trend in society. When asked who should be held responsible for this menace, Uche said, “This menace cannot be attributed to a single entity. The government, hospitals, parents, and society all play critical roles in either enabling or combating this issue.”
Uche emphasised the government’s duty to enforce stringent laws and regulations regarding child protection. “Government must establish robust frameworks that not only penalise offenders but also actively prevent such crimes,” she said. “This includes better funding for social services, increased awareness campaigns, and community outreach programmes that educate the public on the dangers of trafficking.”
She also highlighted the pivotal role of hospitals in safeguarding vulnerable families. “Health institutions should implement thorough protocols to ensure that every child is accounted for at birth. They must work closely with law enforcement agencies to report any suspicious activities,” Uche suggested.
When discussing parental responsibility, Uche stressed vigilance and awareness. “Parents need to be more proactive in protecting their children. This means being aware of their surroundings, knowing who has access to their children, and understanding the signs of potential trafficking. Education is paramount; parents must be informed about the methods traffickers use to exploit families,” she explained.
In a chat with our correspondent in Asaba, another concerned Nigerian, Mr Peter Okoro, simply defined child trafficking as unlawfully adopting a child. ‘’It could be by buying the child from a hospital without going through the legal process or taking the child against the will of the parents’’.
According to him, the main cause of this heinous act is greed. ‘’Some individuals want to make it (become rich) without hard work. They believe that the fastest way to make money is by stealing another person’s child and selling the baby like a commodity for a profit’’.
He highlighted an incident of a child trafficker who was reported some years ago in his church, “A case of a woman who was into child trafficking was reported to the church. We saw her with two healthy boys and she told us the boys are her children and that she lost her husband in Port-Harcourt. She told us that the loss of her husband led to her moving down to Asaba and we all believed her.
‘’Whenever she tells the sad story we pity her, not knowing that she was on the run. Imagine! Like they say ‘Every day is for the thief and one day is for the owner of the house’. That faithful day, she went to the hospital to get documents for the adoption of the boys and somebody that knew her from the church works in that hospital. That was how the case was reported to the police, the truth unveiled itself and the woman was arrested’’
Okoro explained that the woman stole the children mostly from mad women and sometimes from the hospital with the help of a midwife. ‘’The trafficker confessed that she steals the children, gets documents from the hospital and sells them to her clients outside the country who do not have children. She was about to sell those boys to couples living in the United States of America before she was caught. Some people see child stealing as an occupation, a means of survival’’ he said.
He added that individuals, government, hospitals and parents should be held responsible, saying ‘’if these people (culprits) have a job, I don’t think they will go into illegal acts. Some of these people are university graduates, although that is not a reason for someone to cause another pain by taking their joy. The government should enact and enforce a law that anyone caught in the act of child trafficking will be either sentenced to death or imprisoned for life. I think that will curb this menace’’.
Likewise, another respondent, Mrs Chiwendu Abosi said ‘’Economic hardship is one of the causes of this crazy crime. If our leaders can tackle the issue of unemployment, the rate of child theft and trafficking will be reduced. She advised parents to give birth to the number of children they can take care of to avoid this menace. ‘’Parents too are another issue. You see a woman having six, seven, eight children in this era and they do not have a job instead, they look for how to sell one or two of their children to train the others’’.
‘’There was a case across the Niger where it was reported that the occupation of a certain husband and his wife is to give birth and sell the child to be able to take care of their other children. That’s what they do for a living and they were comfortable with it because they made a lot of money from it but nemesis they say will always catch up with evildoers. The couples were caught along the line and apprehended for their crime.
‘’The rate at which crime is increasing in this country is so alarming’’, she said, emphasizing ‘’things are becoming so difficult, people are suffering. Some people are ready to do anything for money. Such persons believe that child trafficking is the easiest way of making money but crime is never a solution to any problem’’
For Pastor Douglas Okoh, who spoke to The Pointer in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area, “The issues of baby theft, illegal child sales, and related crimes stem from the heartlessness of individuals. As the Bible states, “the heart of man is desperately wicked.”
‘’Yes, there are glaring factors to this dark acts of child theft and other related activities, including unfavourable government policies, economic hardship, hunger, corruption, and several other variables. Sadly, the stakeholders who should be protecting children are failing in their responsibilities, allowing loopholes that facilitate the flourishing of this dark industry.
“All hands must be on deck. The government should prioritize the provision of basic amenities, create more jobs, and provide security forces with modern methods and tools for detecting criminal elements. Imagine if all major roads were paved, and electricity was reliable everywhere—such crimes would be drastically reduced. Victims are often targeted in poorly lit, neglected, or unsafe neighbourhoods. I recommend that the Nigerian justice system ensure fair and unbiased judgments for perpetrators when caught, as this would discourage those planning to commit such heinous acts” he said
Speaking to The Pointer from Abuja, Mrs Chidi Kenechukwu said, “One basic factor to the rising trend of the above-said topic is the love for money. Money is good but choosing it over humanity is evil. Everybody wants to jump on the fast train of ‘ I have arrived.’ We are all responsible, as a society, for this menace (child theft)
“On one hand, our government bother less about the wellbeing of the masses they are leading. The Issue of insecurity is on the ground and they are already talking about the 2027 election. It’s good to prepare for tomorrow but not to the detriment of today. On the other hand, parents are so overwhelmed with the economic situation of the country that some of them give their children out as maids to people that they barely know. As parents, we have exposed our children to the harsh economy, conditioning their minds that we (parents) cannot take care of them, and making them look like they are burdens on us” she said.
Again, from Abuja, Peace Kayode-Martin lamented on the root cause of this activity.” Baby theft and child trafficking have been in the news from time immemorial but because not much is being done to curb the menace, it has sadly become a thriving business in Nigeria.
“Societal pressures in marriage could rank as the leading cause of baby theft, as cases of missing children and swapping of babies at birthing facilities due to gender and genotype discrimination have been on the rise. Also, adolescent girls are trafficked to bear babies which are then sold to high-bidding individuals, who either run orphanages or are facing pressures from family and friends.
“Next to the aforementioned reason would be the rise in ritual killings in Nigeria for power, fame and fortune. The government should be held responsible for this menace because databases and active security systems are very insufficient in the country. So, criminals can get away in no time without a trace or appropriate penalties. The law enforcement and justice systems should curb corruption in themselves as some of these criminals are directly linked to those in authority. Next, high-tech tracking systems should be invested in to ensure easy apprehension of criminals and their support systems.
“As for preventive measures, family unity should connect deeply with each other, fostering proper moral and spiritual values which will encourage acceptance no matter the challenges faced by members of the family unit. Children, especially babies and toddlers must never be left unattended while school aged children must always be within safe spaces.
“Also, children should be trained to recognize danger in the environment and call for help when suspicious situations arise. Communities also should be encouraged to look out for themselves, and invest in security measures to prevent potential threats” Kayode-Martin said.
The harrowing accounts of child trafficking and baby theft across Nigeria expose a disturbing reality that demands urgent intervention. The stories of stolen innocence shattered families, and organized syndicates profiting from human misery paint a grim picture of a society at war with its morality. While government efforts have led to some arrests and crackdowns, the persistence of these crimes proves that more must be done. Stronger legislation, stricter law enforcement, and community vigilance are critical in dismantling trafficking networks.
However, this battle cannot be fought by the government alone. Families, religious institutions, and civil society must step up to protect children from becoming victims. Public awareness campaigns, economic empowerment initiatives, and improved border security are essential in closing the loopholes that traffickers exploit. More importantly, the justice system must make child trafficking a crime with consequences so severe that it becomes a deterrent rather than a thriving black-market enterprise.
At the heart of this crisis lies a profound moral reckoning. A society that allows its children to be sold like commodities has lost its soul. Until Nigeria collectively decides that the lives of its most vulnerable members are worth more than profit, this dark trade will continue to flourish in the shadows. The time for action is now—because every child stolen is a future lost, and every trafficker left unpunished is a danger to the next generation.
