Rivers police nab two alleged child traffickers, rescue victims

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have apprehended two suspects, Ugochukwu Onyebuchi and Ogechi Nmezi, for their alleged involvement in a child trafficking ring.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed that the suspects were arrested on January 24, 2025, for conspiring to defraud victims under the guise of facilitating baby adoptions.

She said preliminary investigations showed that the suspects collaborated with members of a local vigilante group, OSPAC, to perpetrate the crime.

She disclosed that the victims, including a two-month-old baby girl, Evidence, and a one-year-old baby boy, Chukwuemeka, were lured into captivity by the suspects.

The statement read: “On January 24, 2025, operatives of the Command arrested two suspects, Ugochukwu Onyebuchi (f) and Ogechi Nmezi (f), for allegedly conspiring to defraud Juliet Blossom (f) and Esther Michael (f) under the pretense of facilitating baby adoptions.”

“Previously, the suspects had reportedly lured one Gift Chimanu, the mother of a two-month-old baby girl, Evidence Olomachukwu Chimanu, and Hope Onyebuchi, the mother of a one-year-old baby boy, Chukwuemeka Kingsley, into their scheme.”

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects acted in collaboration with members of a local vigilante group, OSPAC, to perpetrate the crime.”

She added that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement and are currently in police custody, with efforts ongoing to identify and apprehend other syndicate members, including the implicated OSPAC members.

The victims have been safely rescued and reunited with their families.

According to Iringe-Koko, the achievement is the latest in a series of efforts by the Rivers State Police Command to combat child trafficking.

The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to aid in the fight against child trafficking.