Four children rescued as police bust Rivers trafficking syndicate

The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives rescued four children after busting a child trafficking syndicate in the Rumukwachi Community near Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Also, the command said a suspect identified as Esther Anthony and an alleged accomplice had been arrested in connection with the crime, pointing out that the children were allegedly trafficked from Bayelsa State.

The spokesperson for the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said the children’s ages ranged from one to 13 years, noting that they were lodged in a guest house ready to be traded before the police swooped on them.

The statement reads, “The children, aged one to 13 years, were lodged at the Alaeze Guest House in Rumukwachi, Port Harcourt, and were intended to be handed over to a nurse named Loveth, who runs a maternity home.

“The guest house’s Managing Director grew suspicious of Esther Anthony’s activities and refused to let her check out with the children, demanding that the mother be present.

“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 MD contacted the Choba Area Command, and the officers arrived to arrest Anthony. Preliminary investigations revealed that Esther Anthony had conspired with someone named Favour to traffick the children from the Swali community in Bayelsa State.”

The statement added, “Another suspect, Purity Silas, was also arrested in connection with the case.

“Notably, 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 the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Port-Harcourt and suspects are currently in police custody.

“They will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.”

She stated that the case underscores the ongoing efforts of the state police command to combat child trafficking and ensure justice for victims and their families.

Meanwhile, the police image maker said the children had since reunited with their family members.