Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a suspected child trafficker, Maureen Wechinwu, who claims to be a Reverend Sister and confessed she ‘buys’ the children.
This police also paraded 20 other suspects arrested between August and September for various crimes.
The police had, based on intelligence reports, arrested Maureen at her residence in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, and rescued 15 children from her home.
The Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, revealed that the children rescued from the suspected trafficker were aged between seven and nine, adding that the suspect would be prosecuted upon completion of investigations.
Eboka said preliminary investigations have shown that the children were picked from different parts of the South-South states and we’re being sold out.
He said it took over 24 hour before the children were able to tell their experiences to the police, adding that they were being tortured and maybe hypnotised as well.
He said: “On September 3, Operation Restore Peace Personnel of the Command, acting on credible information regarding hideout of child traffickers, stormed Omuigwe Abuja Phase II, Aluu, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where a lady who claimed to be Rev. Sister Maureen Wechinwu, 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 back to the suspect.
“The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Godwin Ododor, have been contacted and they corroborated the child’s statement.
“Queen Harry (f) was abducted at Ojukwu filed Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt at about 7p.m., while on an errand with the elder sister.
“The mother, Mrs. Florence, have 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 29/04/2022 at about 10a.m., while on 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/Culvet Oroigwe, Port Harcourt, while seated in front of their house with her sister.
“The mother, Glory Obinna, was contacted and she stated that the incident was reported at Okporo Police Station.”