Police burst four child trafficking syndicates in Rivers State

Rescue 10 pregnant teenagers
Operatives of the Rivers Police Command through its C4I Intelligence Unit have raided two houses at Igwuruta and Omagwa communities in Ikwerre Local Council of the state.

he officers arrested four suspected child traffickers. The suspects, who are within the age range of 14 and 17, were said to have operated a baby factory where pregnant young girls are camped and get paid after delivery.

The suspects include 30-year-old Favour Bright from Umudioga Community in Emohua Local Council Area of Rivers State; 40-year-old Peace Alikoi from Igwuruta Community in Ikwere Local Council Area, who is the leader of the trafficking syndicate; 17-year-old Noble Uzuchi and 29-year-old Chigozie Ogbonna.

The victims rescued in the operation are 10 and most of them are pregnant. They include: 19-year-old Gift Saviour from Umudioga Community in Emuhua Local Council Area; 23-year-old Favour Charles from Abale Community in Obingwa LGA of Abia State; 21-year-old Joy Monday from Bumy Community, Gokana Local Council; 19-year-old Chiagoro Nice from Ndas Community Etche Local Council; 28-year-old Blessing Francis from Ngwa Community, Ikot Ekpene Local Council of Area Akwa Ibom State; 29-year-old Joy Emmanuel from Ikot Obiom Community in Nsit Ibiom Local Council of Akwa Ibom State; 25-year-old Precious Kalu from Umudioga Emohua area of Rivers State.”

Others are 27-year-old Cynthia Ekeh from Okpuala Community Ngor Okpuala Local Council of Imo State, and 28-year-old Queen Amos from Owase Community in Kwande Local Government Area Benue State. 15-year-old Chika Nwosa from Umudioga Emohua Local Council; 29-year-old Chigozie Ogbonna from Abale Community Obingwa Local Council of Abia State, and 17-year-old Noble Uzochi from Omuobasa Community in Osisioma Local Council of Abia State.

A statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP), Grace Iringe-Koko, said that ten victims, mostly pregnant young ladies were rescued during the operation.

She said: “On January 7, 2023, acting on credible intelligence available to the Rivers State Police Command, C4I Intelligence Unit Operatives, raided two houses at Igwuruta and Omagwa communities respectively, where victims of child trafficking were being kept.

According to Iringe-Koko, preliminary investigation revealed that the victims get N500, 000 for each delivery, noting that they confessed that they were persuaded to sell their babies to meet some financial challenges.

She said: “Investigation into the case so far reveals that when a victim delivers, the syndicate leader would keep the baby while she pays the victim N500, 000. All the victims confessed that they were lured into illicit sale of children because of the need to meet some financial challenges. And a Honda Pilot Jeep with Reg. Number, Lagos, FST 607 AX white, was recovered from the syndicate leader.”

Iringe-Koko said the case has been transferred to the State CID and efforts are being intensified to track and arrest buyers of children already sold out.

She also reassured that the Command is committed to reducing crime and criminality in all its forms to a barest minimum in the state.