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Police Arrest 21 Suspects, Rescue 15 Children in Rivers
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
The Rivers State Police have paraded 21 suspects arrested in connection with various criminal activities in the state.
The command has also rescued of 15 children allegedly abducted from communities in Rivers and Bayelsa for child trafficking.
Parading the suspects yesterday at the Police Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Eboka Friday, said operatives of the command based on reliable information bursted the hideout of the child trafficker in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area and arrested a lady which led to the rescue of the victims.
CP Friday disclosed: “On 3rd September 2022, 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 44yrs was arrested. Fifteen children were rescued”.
The CP disclosed the names of the rescued children as: Prosper Godwin (9yrs), Queen Harry (7), Miracle John Ohiri (8), Perculia Michael (8), Chimobi Mattew (7), Justice Peter Wechinwu (4), Chukwuemeka Wechinwu (4), Favour (9) and Onyebuchi Wechinwu (7).
Others rescued were Peculiar Micheal (8), Madubochi Wechinwu (10), Francisca Wechinwu (12), Emmanuel Wechinwu (6), Prosper Godwin (8), Queen Harry (7), Chinwendu Wechinwu (15) and Ogadinma Destiny Wechinwu (5).
Explaining further, the CP said “Prosper Godwin was abducted at Ikpazasia market in Bayelsa State on 31 October, 2020, together with two others whom he did not know their whereabouts and was taken to the suspects. Later, he was sold to a woman at Lagos and subsequently returned back to the suspect.
“Queen Harry was abducted at Ojukwu filed Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt at about 1900hrs, while on an errand with the elder sister. Miracle John Ohiri was abducted on 19 November 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.
“Favour Edeze was abducted at Creek Road Market Port Harcourt 29 April, 2022 at about 1000hrs, while on errand. Cimele Obinna was abducted on 24 April, 2022 at Rumuodara/culvet Oroigwe, Port Harcourt, while seated in front of their house with her sister”.
The Commissioner of Police also revealed that five of the abducted children have united with their families, adding “We are yet to locate the parents of the remaining 10 children for identification. Investigation in ongoing with the view of arresting other suspects linked in the case”.
Among other suspects paraded is a bolt driver who specializes in robbing his victims (passengers) at gun point in Port Harcourt.
“On 10th August 2022, operatives of C4i Intelligence Unit, based on credible information, arrested one Obinna Dike (39yrs) of No. 72 Ibeto road Port Harcourt, a bolt driver who specializes in robbing his passengers at gun point. One of his recent operations is at Evo road G.R.A, where he robbed one Boma Adolphus the sum of N150,000 .00. He confessed to the crime, investigation is ongoing”.
Appreciating the Rivers people for working in synergy in ensuring the security of the state, CP Friday said “All the recorded achievements wouldn’t have been possible without your timely information most of which are through phone calls”.
He thanked everyone including corporate bodies who commiserated with the command in their time of grief following the death of former spokesperson, SP Omoni Nnamdi, who was the DPO Elimgbu until his death.
