Police bust child trafficking syndicate, arrest suspect in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a child trafficking syndicate and arrested a suspect, Esther Anthony, while rescuing four children during a raid in Port Harcourt.

The children, aged between one and 13 years, were found lodged at Alaeze Guest House in Rumukwachi and were allegedly intended to be handed over to a nurse, Loveth, who operates a maternity home.

In a statement, spokesperson for the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko disclosed that the Guest House’s Managing Director raised suspicions by refusing to allow Esther to check out with the children without their mother’s presence.

“Esther Anthony left and later returned with police officers, falsely claiming that the Guest House Manager had abducted the children and threatened her with a gun,” SP Iringe-Koko explained.

The Managing Director subsequently contacted the Choba Area Command, leading to Esther’s arrest. Preliminary investigations revealed that she had conspired with another individual, identified as Favour, to traffick the children from the Swali community in Bayelsa State.

Another suspect, Purity Silas, has also been arrested in connection with the case.

Further investigations revealed that another family identified Esther as the person who had stolen three of their children in the Rumuodara area of Port Harcourt and sold them to Loveth.

“All suspects have confessed to the crime. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt, and the suspects are currently in custody. They will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,” SP Iringe-Koko stated.

She emphasised the commitment of the Rivers State Police Command to tackling child trafficking and ensuring justice for victims and their families.

Meanwhile, the rescued children have been reunited with their families.

The Command urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities related to child trafficking to the nearest police station or through the Command’s hotline.