A child trafficking syndicate has been apprehended by Rivers State Police after a raid by the command’s C4I intelligence unit on their hideouts in the Igwuruta and Omuagwa communities in the Ikwerre Local Government Area.
This was reported by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO). Iringe-Koko said that ten people were rescued during the operation and that most of them were pregnant women who had agreed to sell their babies for N500,000.
It was discovered that the pregnant victims from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Imo, and Rivers states agreed to sell their babies for the aforementioned price to meet their needs.
The PPRO stated, “At approximately 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2023, the Rivers State Police Command, C4I Intelligence Unit Operatives raided two houses in the Igwuruta and Omagwa communities where victims of child trafficking were being held.”
“Police operatives on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at about 4. 45pm acting on credible intelligence available, 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 (30) from Umudioga Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Peace Alikoi (40) years old, from Igwuruta Community in Ikwere Local Government Area, who is the leader of the trafficking syndicate, Noble Uzuchi (17) and Chigozie Ogbonna (29).”
Other individuals include Cynthia Ekeh (27), Queen (28), Chika Nwosa (15), Chigozie Ogbonna (29) and Noble Uzochi (17).
“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 N500, 000:00”.
“Iringe-Koko further disclosed that “All the victims confessed that they have been lured to the illicit sales of children because of the need to meet some financial challenges,” she added.
Peace Alikor, the leader of the criminal organisation, was arrested during the operation, and his white Honda Pilot Jeep with the registration number Lagos FST 607 AX was obtained.
The case has been moved to the State CID, according to a statement provided to THISDAY by a police command spokesperson, and efforts are being stepped up to identify and apprehend the buyers of the children who have already been sold.
In the meantime, the Command has reiterated its dedication to reducing crime and criminality across the state to a minimum.
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