Benue Police have arrested a woman for child trafficking after rescuing 11 minors sold in Edo.
Officials said the children, aged five to thirteen, were trafficked for ₦30,000 each.
The Benue State Police Command has taken into custody a woman accused of child trafficking, following the rescue of 11 children who were allegedly sold in Edo State.
The suspect, identified as Mhirve Terlumun from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, was said to have lured and transported the minors before selling them to buyers in Benin City for ₦30,000 each.
The children were freed through a joint operation carried out by the Benue State Government and the Tiv Youth Organization (TYO) in Edo State, under the leadership of Comrade Agber Akaajime. They were safely returned to Katsina-Ala on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
Confirming the development in a statement on Sunday, the Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government, Hon. Dr. Justine Shaku, condemned the incident, calling it a cruel and unacceptable crime against humanity.
According to the statement, signed by his media aide, the case came to light on August 18 when Comrade Akaajime discovered that Terlumun had been selling children between the ages of five and thirteen under the false claim that the money collected was for “transportation expenses.”
Akaajime reportedly launched an intensive search across Benin City, which eventually led to the rescue of the victims.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama also confirmed on Monday that the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has opened a detailed probe into the case to unravel the full extent of the network.
The rescued children were identified as: Iwuese Terkimbi (5 years), Sulma Terhemen (7), Sechiur Orsuyi (8), Sunday Mlumum (20), Nguveren Sunday (15), Doose Mwaave (12), Ternenge Wuave (11), Mnena Terhemen (16), Aondonengen Terkimbir (12), Nensha Terhemen (10), and Saakuma Terhemen (13).
