A child trafficking ring operating out of the Igwurita and Omagwa towns in Rivers State's Ikwerre local government area has been discovered by the Rivers State Police Command.
Ten victims, most of whom were pregnant women, were saved by the command's C4I Intelligence Unit, which also detained four syndicate members, including its leader Peace Alikor.
According to a statement given to the media in Port Harcourt yesterday by Grace Iringe-Koko, the state's police public relations officer (PPRO), the leader of the syndicate frequently pays the sum of N500,000 to each victim who gives birth and gets custody of the child.
According to a statement issued by SCID, the organisation was seeking to locate and detain the purchasers of the already-sold children.
The statement reads in part: “On Saturday 7th January 2023, at about 1645hrs 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.
“In the operation, the suspects were arrested by the police operatives: Favour Bright’ F’, 30 years old, from Umudioga Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, and Peace Alikoi’ F’, 40 years old, from Igwuruta Community in Ikwere Local Government Area, who is the leader of the trafficking syndicate, Noble Uzuchi’ m’ 17 years old and Chigozie Ogbonna’ m’ 29 years old.
“The victims rescued in operation are Ten (10), most of them pregnant they include: Gift Saviour’ F’ 19yrs from Umudioga Community in Ikwere Local Government Area, Favour Charles’ F’ 23yrs from Abale Community in Obingwa LGA of Abia State, Joy Monday’ F’ 21yrs from Bomu Community Gokana Local Government Ares Rivers State and Chiagoro Nice’ F’ 19yrs from Ndashi Community Etche Local Government Area.
“Others are Blessing Francis’ F’ 28yrs from Ngwa Community Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area Akwa Ibom State, Joy Emmanuel’ F’ 29yrs from Ikot Obiom Community in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area Akwa Ibom State, and Precious Kalu’ F’ 25yrs from Umudioga Emohua Local Government Area Rivers State.
“Also rescued are: Cynthia Ekeh’ F’ 27yrs from Okpuala Community Ngor Okpuala Local Government Area Imo State, and Queen Amos’ F’ 28yrs from Owase Community in Kwande Local Government Area Benue State. Chika Nwosa ‘F’ 15yrs from Umudioga Emohua Local Government Area, Chigozie Ogbonna ‘M’ 29yrs From Abale Community Obingwa Local Government Area Abia State, and Noble Uzochi ‘M’ 17yrs from Omuobasa Community in Osisioma Local Government Area Abia State.
“Investigation into the case so far reveals that when the victim delivered, the syndicate leader would keep the baby while she pays the victim a sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000:00). All the victims confessed that they have been lured to the illicit sales of children because of the need to meet some financial challenges.
“Honda Pilot Jeep with Reg. Number, Lagos, FST 607 AX, white was recovered from the syndicate leader.
“The case has been transferred to the State CID, and efforts are being intensified to track and arrest the buyers of the children already sold out.