Police bust child trafficking syndicate in Rivers

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have busted a child trafficking syndicate and rescued four children.

According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, the operation took place in the Rumukwachi community near Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The rescued children who were lodges in a guest house and about to be trafficked are between the ages of one and 13.

The police spokesperson revealed that one Esther Anthony and Purity Silas were arrested in connection with the crime.

She said the managing director of the guest house became suspicious of Anthony’s activities and refused to allow her to check out with the children, insisting that the mother be present.

“Esther Anthony left, only to return with police officers, falsely claiming that the guest house manager had abducted the children and threatened her with a gun,” Iringe-Koko said.

Unfortunately for Anthony, the managing director contacted the Choba Area Command, and officers arrived to arrest her.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Anthony had conspired with a person named Favour to traffic the children from the Swali community in Bayelsa State.

Anthony was identified by a family as the same person who had previously stolen three of their children in the Rumuodara area of Port Harcourt and sold them to one Loveth.

The police chief added that the suspects had confessed to the crime and would soon be charged in court.

The rescued children have since been reunited with their families.