The Rivers State Police Command has successfully rescued four children after busting a child trafficking syndicate in the Rumukwachi Community near Port Harcourt, the state capital. The command also arrested a suspect, Esther Anthony, and an alleged accomplice in connection with the crime. According to the police, 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. They were lodged in a guest house, ready to be traded before the police intervened.
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 traffic the children from the Swali community in Bayelsa State.
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.
The police image maker said the children had since reunited with their family members. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of the state police command to combat child trafficking and ensure justice for victims and their families.
