Police Officers attached to the Rivers State Police Command have have arrested an alleged child traffickingb syndicate operating in the state while rescuing four children .
The command spokesperson SP Grace Iringe Koko said the police arrested a woman, Esther Anthony of Rumukwachi Community Port Harcourt, who allegedly stole them. The children, aged one to thirteen years, were lodged at 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 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 Managing Director contacted the Choba Area Command, and 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. 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 State CID, Port-Harcourt and suspects are currently in police custody. They will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of the Rivers State Police Command to combat child trafficking and ensure justice for victims and their families, Meanwhile the children have united with their family members.
