The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a sophisticated child trafficking syndicate, arresting a 54-year-old woman and several alleged accomplices accused of stealing and selling newborn babies from vulnerable mothers.
In a statement released Wednesday, Police Public Relations Officer SP Grace Iringe-Koko announced that the command had made a significant breakthrough in its investigation into the criminal network. The alleged ringleader, Blessing Jack, was arrested by operatives of the C4i Intelligence Unit on October 9, 2025, at her residence in Igwuruta, Port Harcourt.
The syndicate’s alleged method involved preying on expectant mothers, using fake medical scans, and deceiving them into believing their babies had died at birth. The infants were then sold for substantial sums.
According to the police, evidence of the operation came to light through an intercepted conversation between Jack and another suspect, Marley Oburu. In the conversation, Jack allegedly discussed a recent transaction where an associate was paid the sum of Two Million Naira () after stealing a baby and telling the mother it was stillborn.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that Blessing Jack had previously been imprisoned in Calabar for three years for child trafficking, highlighting her long-standing involvement in the illicit business,” SP Iringe-Koko stated.
Four other suspects have also been taken into custody: Chinonso Raymond, 30, Chinyere Okorie, 32, Nkechi Nwankwo, 50 and Marley Oburu.
Police confirmed that all suspects have voluntarily confessed to their respective roles in the operation.
The Commissioner of Police for Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, commended the operatives for their diligence in apprehending the suspects. He affirmed that the command would “continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable individuals and combat human trafficking in the State.”
The suspects are currently in police custody as a full-scale investigation is underway to track down and dismantle the entire network.
The Command is appealing to the public to come forward with any information that may aid in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases.
