Kehinde Fajobi
The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a child trafficking syndicate, rescuing four children and arresting two suspects in the Rumukwachi community near Port Harcourt.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
She revealed that the children, aged between one and 13, were being housed at a guest house awaiting transfer before police intervened.
“The children, aged one to thirteen years, were lodged at Alaeze Guest House in Rumukwachi, Port Harcourt, and were intended to be handed over to a nurse named Loveth, who runs a maternity home,” the statement read.
The case unfolded when the guest house manager became suspicious of Esther Anthony, one of the suspects, and refused to let her leave with the children without presenting their mother.
Anthony later returned with police officers, falsely accusing the manager of abducting the children and threatening her with a gun.
However, the manager contacted the Choba Area Command, which led to Anthony’s arrest.
Investigations revealed that Anthony had conspired with another individual, Favour, to traffic the children from Bayelsa State’s Swali community.
Another suspect, Purity Silas, was also arrested. According to Iringe-Koko, Anthony was identified by another family as the person who had previously abducted three of their children in the Rumuodara area of Port Harcourt and sold them to Loveth, the maternity home operator.
“All suspects have confessed to the crime. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Port Harcourt, and the suspects are currently in police custody,” Iringe-Koko said.
She added that the suspects would be charged in court upon the completion of the investigation.
“This case underscores the ongoing efforts of the Rivers State Police Command to combat child trafficking and ensure justice for victims and their families,” she noted.
The rescued children have since been reunited with their families.