Rivers police arrest suspected trafficker, rescue newborns

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a suspected child trafficker identified as Peace Effiong with two newborn twins along the Rumuikini-Choba axis of the East-West Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Emeke Nwonyi, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, on Friday, adding that the command’s anti-cultism unit intercepted a Toyota Sienna carrying occupants with suspicious behaviour in the area.

nwonyi said, “Operatives of Anti-Cultism Unit conducted a vital operation on . While on intensive patrol along Rumuekini – Choba, East-West Road, Port Harcourt, they intercepted a Toyota Sienna carrying occupants with suspicious behavior.

“Upon conducting a search, we discovered twin babies, a male, and a female, both approximately two days old, in the company of one Peace Effiong. However, Effiong could not provide a satisfactory account of the babies’ origin. Her alleged husband, an unknown man, fled, abandoning one of the babies.

“Effiong confessed to being introduced by a friend in Lagos to procure these newborn babies in Port Harcourt for the sum of N2.8 million. We have initiated an investigation to apprehend other suspects involved.”

The CP added that five suspected armed robbers were nabbed along the D/Line axis of Port Harcourt when his men raided a criminal hideout, noting that the policemen on approaching the Aba Road end leading to D/Line intercepted the suspects while others fled, abandoning a revolver pistol with three loaded ammunition.

“On at about 2300hrs, Operatives of Olu-Obasanjo division raided a criminal hideout within D/Line, CFC bus stop axis.

“While approaching Aba Road intercepted five suspects while others took to their heels and abandoned one revolver pistol with three loaded ammunition. The suspects are undergoing interrogation, meanwhile, an investigation is ongoing,” he added.