The Rivers State Police Command has successfully dismantled a child trafficking ring, apprehending four individuals involved in the illicit operation.
In a statement released on Monday, October 13, 2025, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed that the syndicate deceived vulnerable pregnant women and young mothers by presenting counterfeit ultrasound scans, subsequently abducting their newborns and selling them to buyers.
Leading the group is Blessing Jack, a 54-year-old woman from Timber Road, Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, who has a criminal history related to child trafficking. She was previously convicted and served time in Calabar, Cross River State, for similar offenses.
“The Rivers State Police Command has made a major stride in curbing child trafficking within the state by arresting key suspects involved in this heinous crime,” the statement confirmed.
“Blessing Jack heads the syndicate, exploiting the trust of young mothers by falsifying medical scans to facilitate the illegal seizure and sale of their infants for substantial financial profit.”
“On October 9, 2025, at approximately 3:00 PM, officers from the C4i Intelligence Unit apprehended Blessing Jack in Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, through intelligence-led operations.”
“Intercepted communications between Blessing Jack and an associate, Marley Oburu, exposed the group’s tactics. In one conversation, Blessing recounted how a member of the syndicate had taken a baby from a woman under the pretense that the child had died, receiving a payment of Two Million Naira (#2,000,000) for the transaction.”
“This evidence indicates the use of fraudulent medical imaging to manipulate and coerce vulnerable pregnant women into surrendering their newborns.”
“Additional arrests include Chinonso Raymond, a 30-year-old male from Igwuruta, Port Harcourt; Chinyere Okorie, a 32-year-old female from Pipeline, Rumuoholu, Port Harcourt; and Nkechi Nwankwo, a 50-year-old female also from Pipeline, Rumuoholu, Port Harcourt.”
“Preliminary inquiries confirmed Blessing Jack’s prior incarceration in Calabar for three years due to child trafficking, underscoring her persistent involvement in this criminal enterprise.”
“All detainees have confessed voluntarily, providing detailed accounts of their respective roles within the trafficking network.”
“The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue to identify and apprehend additional members of the syndicate, aiming to completely dismantle the operation.”
“Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, praised the officers for their commitment and thoroughness in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The Command remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard vulnerable populations and eradicate human trafficking across the state.”
“The Police Command urges the public to come forward with any information that could assist ongoing investigations and prosecutions related to human trafficking. Collective vigilance is essential to fostering a safer community for everyone.”
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