The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a woman accused of child trafficking and rescued 16 children from her possession in an estate in Ozuoba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The arrest was made following a tip-off from residents of the area who had been observing the woman's activities with suspicion.
According to eyewitnesses, the woman had been living in the estate for over two years and was known for bringing in different children at various times.
Some residents claimed that she frequently visited churches and undisclosed locations to pick up children, raising suspicions of involvement in child trafficking.
A woman in the estate who pleaded anonymity said: “This lady was doing child trafficking, picking people’s children from churches and different communities in Rivers State.
On Saturday, some residents confronted the woman and alerted the police, who promptly arrested her and took the children into custody.
The police spokesman, Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating that 16 children were rescued from the estate.
Iringe-Koko said the case had been transferred to the Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit for discreet investigation.
She added that one person had been arrested, but the police were still investigating to determine if there were other suspects involved.
The rescued children, both males and females, appeared confused and frustrated, with some standing while others were seated together.
A viral video showed adults in the compound trying to comfort the children, with some voices heard saying, "This woman is in trouble, see all these children. These came new. They have not come to carry them."
Residents of the estate expressed relief that the woman had been arrested, saying they had been suspicious of her activities for some time.
One resident said: "We have been observing this woman for some time, and we knew something was wrong. She was always bringing in different children, and we didn't know where they were coming from."
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police said, “I can confirm the rescue of the children based on intelligence gathering.
The Ozoaba team acting on a tip went there and the children were rescued from the estate within Ozuoba. 16 children in total.”
“The case has been transferred to the Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit for discreet investigation.”
The incident has raised concerns about child trafficking in the state, with many calling for increased vigilance and action to prevent such crimes.
The police have assured that they are taking the matter seriously and will do everything possible to ensure that the rescued children are reunited with their parents.
The case is ongoing, and the police are urging anyone with information about the woman's activities or the whereabouts of the children's parents to come forward.
