The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a child trafficking syndicate, arresting two female suspects and rescuing two children in Chokocho, Etche Local Government Area.
The suspects, Ugochukwu Onyebuchi and Ogechi Nmezi, allegedly defrauded two women, Juliet Blossom and Esther Michael, under the guise of arranging legal adoptions.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the arrests in a statement on Wednesday, revealing that the suspects operated with a local vigilante group, the Onelga Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC).
The suspects reportedly lured two mothers—Gift Chimanu and Hope Onyebuchi—before taking their children, a two-month-old girl and a one-year-old boy, respectively.
They were apprehended at a police checkpoint in Chokocho, where investigations uncovered their links to OSPAC members allegedly involved in the crime.
“During interrogation, the suspects admitted their involvement. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other syndicate members, including the implicated OSPAC operatives,” Iringe-Koko stated.
The rescued children have been reunited with their families while authorities continue their crackdown on child trafficking in the state.
