The Rivers State Police Command has broken up a child trafficking syndicate, arresting two women and rescuing two children in Chokocho, Etche Local Government Area.
The suspects, identified as Ugochukwu Onyebuchi and Ogechi Nmezi, were accused of defrauding two women, Juliet Blossom and Esther Michael, by pretending to help them adopt babies.
Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Wednesday. She said the suspects worked with a local vigilante group, the Onelga Security Planning and Advisory Committee.
The statement reads, “On January 24, 2025, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command arrested two suspects, Ugochukwu Onyebuchi and Ogechi Nmezi, for allegedly conspiring to defraud two women under the guise of arranging child adoptions.”
Iringe-Koko explained that the suspects had tricked two mothers: Gift Chimanu, whose two-month-old baby girl, Evidence Olomachukwu Chimanu, was taken, and Hope Onyebuchi, whose one-year-old son, Chukwuemeka Kingsley, was also involved in the scheme.
The suspects were arrested at a checkpoint in Chokocho, and investigations showed their connection to OSPAC members, who allegedly assisted in the crime.
“During questioning, the suspects admitted to their involvement. Efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, including the implicated OSPAC operatives,” Iringe-Koko added.
The police have since returned the children to their families. Investigations into the crime are ongoing.
“The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to protecting vulnerable individuals and eradicating child trafficking in the state,” the statement concluded.
