Security

Police Smash Suspected Child Trafficking Syndicate, Rescue Victims

By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja

The Rivers State Police Command has cracked down on a child trafficking ring and rescued four children.

The state Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who made this known on Monday, said one of the suspects, identified as Esther Anthony, stole the children aged between one and thirteen, and lodged them at the Alaeze Guest House in Rumukwachi, Port Harcourt, intending to hand them over to a nurse named Loveth, who runs a maternity home.

According to Iringe-Koko, luck ran out on Esther when the Managing Director of the guest house, suspicious of Esther Anthony’s activities, refused to let her check out with the children, demanding that the mothers be present.

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Esther Anthony left and returned with police officers, falsely claiming that the guest house manager had abducted the children and threatened her with a gun. However, the Managing Director contacted the Choba Area Command, and officers arrived to arrest Anthony.

Preliminary Investigations revealed that the suspect had conspired with someone named Favour to traffick the children from the Swali Community in Bayelsa State. Another suspect, Purity Silas, was also arrested in connection with the case.

Interestingly, Esther Anthony was identified by another family as the same person who had stolen three of their children in the Rumuodara area of Port Harcourt and sold them to Loveth.

“All suspects have confessed to the crime. The case has been transferred to State CID, Port-Harcourt and suspects are currently in police custody. They will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation”, Iringe-Koko said, adding that the case highlights the ongoing efforts of the Rivers State Police Command to combat child trafficking and ensure justice for victims and their families.

Meanwhile the children have been reunited with their family members.

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