The Rivers State Police Command has announced the apprehension of a child trafficking syndicate, including three women, who were operating within and outside the state. The successful operation followed a complaint lodged by a woman in Ubima Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, regarding her missing child.
According to Grace Iringe-Koko, the State Police Public Relations Officer, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, operatives from the Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit swiftly arrested the prime suspect, Mercy Enyindah, who had recently visited the complainant’s home just before the child went missing.
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Further investigations revealed that Mercy Enyindah had confessed to stealing not only the complainant’s child, but also two other children, along with her accomplice, Amaka Ewuzie, between February 16th and March 2023. This led to the arrest of Chialuka Iheanacho and her husband, Chukwuma Iheanacho, in Delta State, while other members of the gang in Imo State are still being pursued.
Efforts are underway to reunite some of the rescued children with their parents, but two-year-old Jasper Friday, who was sold in Asaba, Delta State, is still missing. The police command has appealed to the public, including well-meaning individuals and spiritual leaders, to provide any information that could lead to the recovery of the child.
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Superintendent of Police, Grace Iringe-Koko, also advised all residents of the state to exercise caution when exposing their children to unfamiliar visitors. She urged residents to raise the alarm or contact emergency police numbers if they suspect any suspicious activity. The suspects in custody will be promptly charged to court, according to the police spokesperson.
