Juliana Francis
The Rivers State Police Command said it has busted a syndicate which allegedly used to buy newborn babies from trafficked girls for N500,000.
The also stated that it has rescued 10 pregnant girls from the suspected traffickers. The Police said that all the victims confessed that they were lured into the illicit sales of children because of the need to meet some financial challenges.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Superintendent of Police, Grace Iringe-Koko said that on the 7th of January 2023, at about 4:45 PM, 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.
Iringe-Koko said: “In the operation, the suspects were arrested by the police operatives, Favour Bright, 30, and Peace Alikoi, 40, who is the leader of the trafficking syndicate, Noble Uzuchi, 17 and Chigozie Ogbonna, 29. The victims rescued in the operation are 10 and most of them are pregnant.”
Iringe-Koko listed the rescued girls as Gift Saviour, 19, Favour Charles, 23, Joy Monday, 21, Chiagoro Nice, 19, Blessing Francis, 28, Joy Emmanuel, 29 and Precious Kalu, 25.
Others are Cynthia Ekeh 27, Queen Amos, 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. 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. The Command wishes to reaffirm its commitment to reducing crime and criminality in all its forms to a bare minimum,” said Iringe-Koko.
