Police arrest child trafficking suspect, rescue 16 children in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 16 children from an estate in Ozuoba, Port Harcourt.

The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was apprehended by the Ozuoba police team on Saturday after a tip-off from concerned residents.

According to an eyewitness, the woman had lived in the compound for over two years, with a regular flow of children in and out of her residence.

Residents grew suspicious of her activities, noticing that she often returned home with different children, claiming they were from churches or unknown locations.

The eyewitness said: “This lady was involved in child trafficking, picking children from churches and different communities in Rivers State. On Saturday, some people detained the woman and called the Ozuoba police. The police arrived, arrested her, and took the children away.”

A resident, who requested anonymity, revealed that the woman often pounded mortar at night, suggesting she may have been preparing food for a large number of children. He estimated that nearly 200 children passed through her care during her two-year stay in the compound.

Confirming the development yesterday, police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, said the children were rescued from a suspect’s residence within the estate.
Iringe-Koko revealed that the Ozuoba police team acted on a tip-off, leading to the successful rescue of the children.

She said the case has been transferred to the Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit for a thorough investigation.
Iringe-Koko said the police are still investigating to determine if additional suspects are involved, adding that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.