In a major breakthrough against organized crime, the Rivers State Police Command has successfully dismantled a notorious child trafficking syndicate operating within the state. During the operation, officers rescued a visibly distressed pregnant woman, believed to be one of the traffickers’ intended victims.
The bust took place in the early hours of Saturday following weeks of undercover surveillance and intelligence gathering. Acting on a tip-off from concerned locals in the Rumuola area of Port Harcourt, a joint task force comprising officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) raided a compound suspected to be a transit point for trafficked individuals.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the operation led to the arrest of seven individuals—five men and two women—believed to be key members of the trafficking network.
“After thorough investigation and monitoring, our officers executed a well-coordinated raid on the premises where several young women and children were being held against their will. Among them was a pregnant woman, about seven months along, who was in a highly vulnerable condition,” SP Iringe-Koko stated during a press briefing.
The rescued woman, identified only as Amaka to protect her identity, is 21 years old and originally from Imo State. She revealed to officers that she had been lured to Port Harcourt with promises of employment, only to find herself imprisoned and threatened with violence.
“They said I would work as a nanny or housekeeper. But when I arrived, they took my phone and said I must sell my baby after delivery,” Amaka told investigators in a trembling voice.
Further investigation revealed that the syndicate specialized in targeting young, pregnant women from impoverished backgrounds. Once under their control, the victims were coerced into giving up their newborns for illegal adoption or child trafficking, often across state lines and sometimes internationally.
Police confirmed that several forged documents, mobile phones, and cash in both naira and foreign currencies were recovered during the raid. Authorities believe the syndicate had ties to other trafficking rings across the southern and eastern regions of Nigeria.
Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended the officers involved and reiterated the Command’s commitment to eradicating human trafficking in all forms.
“This is a wake-up call to all criminal elements. Rivers State will not be a haven for traffickers. We will continue to work with local and international partners to protect our citizens, especially women and children,” the Commissioner said.
Amaka and other rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and counseling at a government shelter in the city. Efforts are underway to reunite victims with their families, while the arrested suspects remain in custody pending prosecution.
The operation has sparked renewed calls from civil society groups for stronger enforcement of anti-trafficking laws and greater support for vulnerable communities in the region.
