Rivers Police arrest 2 suspected child traffickers, rescue victims
..As CP reads riot act to other criminals
Barth Ndubuwah,Port Harcourt
Rivers State Police Command has arrested two child trafficking operators, following investigation into a distress call at Rumuagholu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko that one Akudo Ozoroh ‘F’ aged 39 and her accomplice, Mary Ade were arrested in the process,while six pregnant girls were rescued.
Upon interrogation, Ozoroh confessed to the crime,admitting that she has been in the business for over six years. She said her partner in crime,one Ifeanyi Akudo lures the victims(pregnant girls) into the centre by promising to take care of them till they deliver.
Ozoroh said the babies were later sold at N1m to N1.5m depending on their sex,while their mothers were settled with N150,000 to N200,000 respectively.
“Upon interrogation, Akudo Ozoroh confessed to the crime and gave useful information to the Police that the girls were lured by Akudo Ifeanyi who Promised to take care of them until their delivery while the babies were sold within the range of three hundred and four hundred thousand depending on the month of the pregnancy and they were given a token ranging from 150.000 to 200.000 depending on the sex of the baby”, the statement read.
Meanwhile,the Commissioner of Police (CP), Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka has warned potential criminals in Rivers State to steer clear from the State, stressing that there is no hiding place for them.
The CP gave the warning Wednesday during a press briefing in Port Harcourt.
According to him,”no criminal,cultists and their likes shall be spared in the war against crime in the State.
“I shall smoke them out through intelligence. The DPOs,Area Commanders have been directed accordingly. Community policing and partnerships will be embraced in the crime war,” the CP said.
Emeka also cautioned his officers against indulging in corruption, pointing out that his administration will have zero tolerance for corruption.
The CP said the Command under his watch shall police with international best practices, pointing out that nobody shall be unduly arrested, detained or prosecution during his leadership.
He warned officers to be professional in the discharge of their duties, as unprofessional conducts shall not be tolerated.
“Accidental discharge will not be condoned. Any Officer found culpable shall be duly punished. Officers who perform well shall also be rewarded,” He reiterated.
