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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a child trafficker identified as Maureen Wechinwu, who claimed to be a reverend sister.
Also, the police paraded 20 other suspects arrested in the state within August and September for various crimes.
The police, based on intelligence, arrested Maureen at her residence in Aluu Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State and rescued 15 abducted children.
Speaking, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Friday Eboka, disclosed that the children rescued from the suspected trafficker were aged between seven and nine years, adding that the suspect would be prosecuted upon completion of investigations.
Eboka said preliminary investigations had shown that the children were picked from different parts of the South South states and were being sold out to people.
He said it took over 24 hours before the children were able to tell their experiences to the police, adding that they were being tortured and maybe hypnotised as well.
The CP said: “On the September 3, 2022, Operation Restore Peace personnel of the Command, acting on credible information regarding hideouts of child traffickers, stormed Onuigwe Abuja Phase II, Aluu, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where a lady who claimed to be Revd Sister Maureen Wechinwu ‘f’ aged 44 years was arrested.
“Fifteen children were rescued, case transferred to CP Monitoring Unit for discrete investigation. Investigation revealed the following facts: Prosper Godwin (m) was abducted at Ikpazasia market in Bayelsa State on 31/10/2020, together with two others whom he does not know their whereabouts and was taken to the suspect. Later, he (Prosper) was sold to a woman in Lagos and subsequently returned to the suspect. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Godwin Ododor, have been contacted and they corroborated the statement of the child.”
He said further: “Queen Harry (f) was abducted at Ojukwu, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt, at about 1900hrs, while on an errand with the elder sister. The mother, Mrs. Florence, has been contacted and she corroborated the facts.
“Miracle John Ohiri (f) was abducted on 19/11/2021, at Ada-George Road, Port Harcourt, opposite Holy Rock Church, along with her mother and two siblings, who have not been seen till date.
The father, John Ohiri, has been contacted for identification of the child, who corroborated her statement that he reported the incident at Rumuokpakani police station.
“Favour Edeze (f) was abducted at Creek Road Market, Port Harcourt, on 29/04/2022, at about 1000hrs, while on an errand. The father, one Emeka Edeze, has been contacted and identified his child and, also, confirmed the incident.
Chimele Obinna (f) was abducted on 24/04/2022 at Rumuodara/Culver Oroigwe, Port Harcourt, while seated in front of their house with her sister. The mother, Glory Obinna, was contacted and she said that the incident was reported at Okporo police station.”
Eboka said five parents have come and identified their children, and that the police were yet to locate the parents of the remaining and have called on parents whose children were missing to visit the command.
