The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives busted a kidnap syndicate, comprising four women for allegedly kidnapping and trafficking a four-year-old in Afam, Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Iringe-Koko said one of the suspects known by the victim had lured the infant to her accomplices.
She said the four female suspects aged between 19 and 26 were arrested while trying to transport the infant to Aba in Abia State.
The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command has arrested one Victoria Okon, 23; Jessica Ndifreke, 26; Charity Samuel, 19 and Chinaza Daniel, 25 in connection with the abduction of a four-year-old boy, Unique Timitoms at Afam. Victoria, who is known by the victim was said to have lured him to the other suspects.
“The suspects were eventually arrested while trying to transport their victim to Aba.”
In a related development, the command said two persons have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and trafficking a 15-year-old girl.
The state police spokesperson said the feat was achieved by detectives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said the first suspect allegedly took the victim to Lagos State on February 5, 2023, for prostitution.
She said, “Detectives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested one Mary Samson in connection with the abduction and trafficking of one Favour Cleopas (f), 15-year-old on January 29, 2023.
“The suspect allegedly took the victim to Lagos State on February 5, 2023, for prostitution.
“Investigation revealed that the suspect conspired with one Blessing Christopher to send girls to one Christabel Christopher, who is into prostitution in Lagos State. “Two victims earlier trafficked to Lagos by the suspect, Tari Paul (f), 16 and Blessings Temple (F), 16 have been rescued by detectives and are helping in the investigation.”
