Police arrest traffickers, rescue 4 children in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has rescued four children, aged between one and thirteen years, from suspected child traffickers in Rumukwachi community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the children were found at Alaeze Guest House, where they were allegedly awaiting transfer to a nurse named Loveth, who operates a maternity home.

The guest house manager became suspicious of one of the suspects, Esther Anthony, and prevented her from leaving with the children, insisting that their mother be present. In response, Anthony reportedly brought police officers to accuse the manager of abducting the children.

The manager, however, alerted the Choba Area Command, leading to Anthony’s arrest. Investigations revealed that Anthony, in collaboration with another suspect, Favour, had trafficked the children from the Swali community in Bayelsa State.

A second suspect, Purity Silas, was also arrested. Additionally, a family from the Rumuodara area of Port Harcourt identified Anthony as the individual who had previously stolen three of their children and sold them to Loveth.

All suspects have confessed to the crime, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Port Harcourt, for further investigation. The suspects remain in police custody.