Police arrest two ‘child traffickers’, rescue victims in Rivers

The Rivers state police command says it has dismantled a child trafficking syndicate and arrested two suspects.

A statement on Wednesday by Grace Iringe-Koko, the command spokesperson, identified the suspects as Ugochukwu Onyebuchi and Ogechi Nmeziz.

She said they were arrested on January 24 for allegedly defrauding two women, Juliet Blossom and Esther Michael, under the pretense of facilitating baby adoptions.

“Previously, the suspects had reportedly lured one Gift Chimanu, the mother of a two-month-old baby girl, Evidence Olomachukwu Chimanu, and Hope Onyebuchi, the mother of a one-year-old baby boy, Chukwuemeka Kingsley, into their scheme,” the statement reads.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects acted in collaboration with members of a local vigilante group, OSPAC, to perpetrate the crime.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement and are still in police custody.”

The spokesperson said efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other syndicate members, including the implicated OSPAC members.

“The victims have been safely rescued and reunited with their families,” the statement added.

“This operation underscores the unwavering commitment of the Rivers State Police Command to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and eradicating child trafficking within the state.”