Operatives of C41 Intellence unit of the Rivers State Police command acting on credible intelligence last week Saturday , raided two houses at Igwuruta and Omagwa communities in IKwerre Local Government area respectively, where victims of child trafficking were being kept.
SP Grace Iringe Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police command in a statement gave the names of arrested suspects as Miss Favour Bright 30 years old, from Umudioga Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, and Miss Peace Alikoi 40 years old, from Igwuruta Community in Ikwere Local Government Area, who is the leader of the trafficking syndicate, Noble Uzuchi 17 years old and Mr Chigozie Ogbonna 29 years old.
She said ten victims were rescued in the operation are most of them are pregnant The victims rescued include : Gift Saviour ‘ 19yrs from Umudioga Community in Ikwere Local Government Area, Favour Charles 23yrs from Abale Community in Obingwa LGA of Abia State, Joy Monday 21yrs from Bumy Community Gokana Local Government Ares Rivers State, Chiagoro Nice 19yrs from Ndas Community Etche Local Government Area, Blessing Francis 28yrs from Ngwa Community Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area Akwa Ibom State, Joy Emmanuel 29yrs from Ikot Obiom Community in Nsit Ibiom Local Government Area Akwa Ibom State, Precious Kalu 25yrs from Umudioga Emohua Local Government Area Rivers State.
Others are: Cynthia Ekeh 27yrs from Okpuala Community Ngor Okpuala Local Government Area Imo State, and Queen Amos 28yrs from Owase Community in Kwande Local Government Area Benue State. Chika Nwosa 15yrs from Umudioga Emohua Local Government Area, Mr Chigozie Ogbonna 29yrs From Abale Community Obingwa Local Government Area Abia State, and Mr Noble Uzochi 17yrs from Omuobasa Community in Osisioma Local Government Area Abia State.
SP Koko explained that investigation into the case revealed that when the victims delivered, the syndicate leader would keep the baby while she pays the victim a sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000:00).
She disclosed that all the victims confessed that they were lured to the illicit sales of children because of the need to meet some financial challenges.
A Honda Pilot Jeep with Reg. Number, Lagos, FST 607 AX, white was recovered from the syndicate leader, the Police spokesperson stated.
Meanwhile the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), PortHarcourt for further investigation and efforts are being intensified to track and arrest the buyers of the children already sold out.