JUST IN: Police arrest child trafficking syndicate and rescue pregnant girls

…Four suspects arrested

The Rivers State Police Command said its officers dismantled a child trafficking syndicate and arrested four suspects in Igwuruta and Omagwa, Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas of State.

Police also said ten girls, most of them pregnant, including teenage girls found at two of the locations searched, were rescued.

Command spokeswoman Grace Iringe-Koko revealed this in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and made available to reporters.

Iringe-Koko said the exploit followed a tip on which the Command immediately acted and quickly raided the two locations housing the victims.

The statement reads: "On Saturday, January 7, 2023, at approximately 4:45 p.m., acting on the basis of credible information available to Rivers State Police Command, officers from the C4I intelligence raided two houses in Igwuruta and Omagwa communities respectively, where victims of child trafficking were kept.

"During the operation, the suspects were arrested by the police officers; Favor Bright, 30, from the Umudioga community in the Emohua Local Government Area of ​​Rivers State, and Peace Alikoi, 40, from Igwuruta community in Ikwere local government area, who is the leader of the traffickers' syndicate."

"Two men, Noble Uzuchi, 17, and Chigozie Ogbonna, 29, who were allegedly hired by the syndicate to have marathon sex with the girls and impregnate them, were also arrested.

The statement further reads: "The victims rescued in the operation are ten, most of them pregnant. They include; 19-year-old Gift Savior 'F' from the Umudioga community in Ikwere Local Government Area, Favor Charles 'F' 23 years old from Abale community in Obingwa LGA of Abia State.

“Joy Monday 'F' 21 years old, from Bomu Community, Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Chiagoro Nice 'F' 19 years old, from Ndas Community, Etche Local Government Area, Blessing Francis 'F' 28 years old from Ngwa Community, Ikot -Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Joy Emmanuel 'F' 29 years old from Ikot Obiom Community in Nsit Ibiom from Akwa Ibom State, Precious Kalu 'F' 25 years old from Umudioga Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State.

"Others are: Cynthia Ekeh "F" 27 years old from Okpuala Community, Ngor Okpuala Local Government Area, Imo State, and Queen Amos "F" 28 years old from Owase Community in Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State.

"Chika Nwosa 'F' 15 years old from Umudioga Emohua Local Government Area, Chigozie Ogbonna 'M' 29 years old from Abale Community, Obingwa Local Government Area, Abia and Noble State Uzochi 'M' 17 years old from Omuobasa Community in Osisioma Local Government Area, Abia State."

Iringe-Koko, a police superintendent, said investigations so far have revealed that when the victims deliver their babies, the syndicate leader keeps the babies and pays the victim a sum of 500,000 naira.

The State Police image maker further disclosed that some of the previously born babies had been sold.

She said, "All of the victims confessed that they were drawn into the illicit sale of children because of the need to meet certain financial challenges.

"A Honda Pilot Jeep with registration number, Lagos FST 607 AX, white was recovered from the syndicate leader.

"The case has been transferred to the State Department of Crime and Investigation and efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the purchasers of the previously sold children.

"Command wishes to reaffirm its commitment to reducing crime and criminality in all its forms to the bare minimum.

"While careful efforts are made to ensure the above, members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police for prompt action."