The Rapid Respond Squad (RRS) in Abia State has rescued two children from child trafficking syndicates who specialized in abducting children between two and three years old by using biscuits and sweets as lure.
RRS, led by its commander, SP Johnbull Obioguru rescued the two children from those they were sold to in Lagos State and Port Harcourt, Rivers State respectively.
It was gathered that on 28 August 2020, Mrs. happiness Monday, mother to Marvelous Monday of Umuochialla village in Osisioma LGA of Abia state, reported to RRS that her child was abducted by unknown persons.
It was also learnt that another woman, Mrs. Rejoice Ikechukwu from the same above community also reported to RRS on same above date that her own child, master David Ikechukwu aged 3 years was also abducted.
Master Marvelous Monday was rescued from Lagos and has been handed over to his parents by the RRS yesterday in Aba.
However, the second child who was rescued from Port Harcourt that same is too tender to even say his name, the name of his parents.
Action follows complaints
An impeccable police source told our reporter that based on the complaints of Mrs. Monday and Mrs. Ikechukwu, Abia Commissioner of Police, Janet Agbede instructed the operatives of the RRS to swing into action.
The action according to the source resulted in the arrest of five suspects who confessed to have specialize in abducting and selling children and they include three males and two females.
One of the suspects, Mr. Chinonso Slyvanus (M) 17, from Umuochalla Village in Osisioma LGA was arrested in his hideout Owerri, Imo state capital.
Mr. Ekene Duru (M) 31, another suspect also from Umuochalla Village Osisioma LGA was arrested in a hideout at Enugu, Enugu state.
After the arrest of Slyvanus and Duru, who specialize in abducting children, they gave more information to RRS for further arrests.
Their information led to the arrest the suspected buyers, Mrs Rose Okoro (F) 45, at No: 5 OPM Avenue Port Harcourt and Mrs. Ngozi Ukpai (F) 38, from Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The source said that Okoro and Ukpai confessed to have bought the abducted kids from Sylvanus and Duru at the rate of N200,000 for each and resell them at the rate of N450,000.
Their information also led to the arrest of one Mr. Chidi Okoro who runs a clinic by name “Prostel Hospital” formerly known as “God’s Favour Hospital and Maternity” located at Umuode Village, in Osisioma LGA of Abia State.
The source said that Okoro, a Senior Secondary School Certificate holder has been impersonating as a medical doctor, but never had any medical training, but uses the above-mentioned clinic for trafficking purposes.
According to the source efforts are on top gear to rescue Master David Ikechukwu to reunite him with his parents.
It was also gathered that RRS is still waiting for the parents of the other recovered child and who cannot identify himself to visit Abia State Police Headquarters or any nearest police station to identify and take the child home.
