Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has re-arrested two ex-convicts, Rose Daniel and Blessing John, for allegedly abducting and trafficking children, just months after they completed a prison term for the same offence. The suspects were apprehended on August 27, 2026, in the Kuje Area Council of the FCT while allegedly attempting to flee with a four-year-old girl identified as Ummi Mariam Abdullah. The arrest, which followed a tip-off from a vigilant community member, has uncovered what authorities describe as an organised child trafficking ring operating across state borders.
The suspects, Rose Daniel and Blessing John, had previously been arrested in December 2025 and arraigned before a court in connection with a similar offence. According to the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the pair were convicted and subsequently released on bail after spending about five months in prison. However, further investigation revealed that since their release, the suspects had allegedly abducted and trafficked four children to different parts of the country.
The most recent case involved two children who were allegedly transported to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they were sold to a suspected accomplice identified only as "Madam Ijeoma" for N1.5 million each. Police investigations suggest that the trafficking network extends beyond the FCT, with children being moved to various locations across Nigeria. The rescued four-year-old girl has since been reunited with her family, while the two suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.
SP Adeh provided chilling details about the suspects' modus operandi, revealing that Blessing John, a Christian from Benue State, would disguise herself as a Muslim by wearing a hijab to abduct children sent on errands. "When nobody is watching, they cover these children with hijab and take off to sell them outside FCT," Adeh explained. The police spokesperson noted that the suspects used the same tactic in the latest abduction involving the four-year-old girl.
During interrogation, Rose Daniel confessed to introducing Blessing John to the criminal act. She disclosed that she has two children, one of whom is now 17 years old. Expressing remorse over her deed, Rose admitted that her children would not be happy with her. "I can't forgive myself. I'm sorry it won't repeat itself again," she said, adding that her husband recently divorced her over the crime she committed. Rose, who was spared from serving her initial four-month jail term behind bars on account of a surgical operation, now faces a fresh round of legal proceedings.
The FCT Police Command has urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the safety and whereabouts of their children. The command also encouraged members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons, movements, or activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883; Complaint Response Unit, 08107314192; and PPRO FCT, 07038979348.
The case highlights a disturbing pattern of recidivism among convicted criminals who return to their illicit activities shortly after release. The suspects, who had served their time for the same offence, demonstrated a complete disregard for the law and the welfare of innocent children. Their ability to continue their operations despite a prior conviction raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in deterring repeat offenders and the need for more robust rehabilitation and monitoring mechanisms for ex-convicts.
Child trafficking remains a persistent and pervasive problem in Nigeria, with thousands of children falling victim to organised criminal networks each year. The FCT, as the nation's capital, has not been immune to this scourge, with cases of child abduction and trafficking frequently reported across the territory. The re-arrest of Rose Daniel and Blessing John serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by trafficking rings and the need for sustained vigilance by law enforcement agencies and communities alike.
The police have assured the public that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. However, the case has already exposed significant gaps in the system, including the ease with which convicted traffickers can resume their criminal activities after serving relatively short sentences. Calls for stricter penalties, longer prison terms, and more comprehensive post-release monitoring are likely to intensify in the wake of this incident.
For the families of the trafficked children, the ordeal is far from over. While the four-year-old girl has been reunited with her family, the fate of the other children allegedly sold to "Madam Ijeoma" remains unknown. The police have not disclosed whether efforts are underway to locate and rescue these children, leaving their families in a state of agonising uncertainty.
As the investigation continues, the focus will remain on dismantling the trafficking network and bringing all those involved to justice. The re-arrest of Rose Daniel and Blessing John is a significant breakthrough, but it is only the beginning of what promises to be a long and complex legal battle. For now, the FCT Police Command has demonstrated its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society, sending a clear message that child trafficking will not be tolerated, and that those who engage in this heinous crime will be pursued relentlessly, regardless of their criminal history.
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