The Rivers State Police Command has successfully rescued a heavily pregnant woman from a suspected child trafficking syndicate operating between Rivers and Abia states.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed that the operation was the result of a painstaking investigation and coordinated intelligence gathering.
According to Iringe-Koko, police detectives tracked the syndicate to a hideout in Aba, Abia State, on June 24, where two suspects — Miss Sunshine Hart, 28, and Mr. Kingsley Ekocha, 38 — were arrested.
During the raid, officers rescued a 24-year-old woman, Miss Regina Sunday, who was heavily pregnant at the time. She was immediately placed under protective custody and later delivered a healthy baby boy on June 30 at the Police Clinic in Port Harcourt.
“Both mother and child are currently receiving medical attention and are in stable condition,” Iringe-Koko confirmed.
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The police have since launched a manhunt for other members of the trafficking ring, with assurances that all involved will be apprehended and prosecuted.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers, CP Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals across the state.
“We urge members of the public to report any suspicious human trafficking activity,” Iringe-Koko said, calling for community support to help dismantle such criminal networks.
The rescue marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to curb child trafficking in the region and restore public confidence in law enforcement’s resolve to protect lives and uphold justice.