The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four members of a suspected child trafficking syndicate operating within the state. According to a statement issued yesterday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the arrests were made on October 9, 2025, at about 3:00 p.m., by operatives of the C4i Intelligence Unit following intelligence-led operations.

Iringe-Koko disclosed that the syndicate, allegedly led by 54-year-old Blessing Jack, specialised in exploiting vulnerable young mothers by stealing and selling their newborn babies for financial gain.

She said police investigations, aided by technical surveillance, led to the discovery of Jack’s hideout in Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, where incriminating conversations between her and an accomplice, Marley Oburu, exposed the group’s operations.

“The conversation revealed that the syndicate used fake medical scans and deceit to manipulate pregnant women. In one case, an associate took a woman’s baby under the false claim that the child had died, and the baby was later sold for N2 million,” Iringe-Koko stated.

Further investigations, she added, resulted in the arrest of three other suspects: 30-year-old Chinonso Raymond of Igwuruta, 32-year-old Chinyere Okorie, and 50-year-old Nkechi Nwankwo, both of Pipeline, Rumuoholu, Port Harcourt.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that Blessing Jack had previously been imprisoned in Calabar for three years for child trafficking, highlighting her long-standing involvement in the illicit business,” she said. “All the suspects have voluntarily confessed to the crime, detailing their individual roles. The police command is currently holding them in custody while further investigations continue to arrest other members of the syndicate and dismantle the network.”

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the operatives for their diligence in tracking and arresting the suspects. He assured the public that the Command remains committed to protecting vulnerable individuals and eradicating human trafficking across the state.

Adepoju also urged residents to report any information that could assist in the ongoing investigation and prosecution of those involved in trafficking-related offences.