The Rivers State Police Command has successfully rescued four children and dismantled a child trafficking syndicate operating in the Rumukwachi community near Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The command confirmed the arrest of a suspect, Esther Anthony, and her alleged accomplice, linked to the trafficking of children from Bayelsa State.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson and a Superintendent of Police, disclosed the details in a statement issued on Monday. She revealed that the rescued children, aged between one and 13 years, were discovered at Alaeze Guest House in Rumukwachi, where they were being prepared for illegal transactions.
### Suspicious Activities Uncovered
“The Managing Director of the guest house grew suspicious of Esther Anthony’s activities when she attempted to check out with the children without their parents present,” the statement explained.
Anthony allegedly left the premises but later returned with police officers, falsely accusing the guest house manager of abducting the children and threatening her with a firearm. However, the guest house MD contacted the Choba Area Command, whose officers promptly arrested Anthony.
### Investigation Reveals Wider Network
Preliminary investigations uncovered that Anthony, along with an accomplice named Favour, had trafficked the children from the Swali community in Bayelsa State. Another suspect, Purity Silas, was also arrested in connection with the crime.
Police further revealed that Anthony was previously identified by a family in Port Harcourt’s Rumuodara area as the individual who had stolen three of their children and sold them to a nurse named Loveth, who allegedly runs a maternity home.
### Legal Action Underway
The statement added that all suspects have confessed to their roles in the crime. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID) in Port Harcourt, and the suspects remain in custody pending prosecution.
### Children Reunited with Families
Iringe-Koko confirmed that the rescued children have been reunited with their families, describing the incident as a significant victory in the command’s ongoing efforts to combat child trafficking and ensure justice for victims.
The Rivers State Police Command reiterated its commitment to eradicating child trafficking and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
