The Rivers State Police Command, on Thursday, arrested a suspected child trafficker identified as Peace Effiong with two newborn twins along the Rumuikini-Choba axis of the East-West Road, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, made this known in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Friday.
Nwonyi explained that operatives of the command’s anti-cultism unit while on routine patrol in the area intercepted a Toyota Sienna carrying occupants with suspicious behaviour.
He said upon conducting a search, the operatives saw the twin babies in the woman’s company, saying she was arrested following her inability to give a good account of the babies’ origin.
The CP stated, “Operatives of the anti-cultism unit conducted a vital operation on Thursday, 5th of October, 2023. While on intensive patrol along Rumuekini – Choba, East-West Road, Port Harcourt, they intercepted a Toyota Sienna carrying occupants with suspicious behaviour.
“Upon conducting a search, we discovered twin babies, a male and a female, both approximately two days old, in the company of one Peace Effiong. However, Effiong could not provide a satisfactory account of the babies’ origin. Her alleged husband, an unknown man, fled, abandoning one of the babies.
“Effiong confessed to being introduced by a friend in Lagos to procure these newborn babies in Port Harcourt for the sum of N2.8 million. We have initiated an investigation to apprehend other suspects involved.”
The CP also disclosed that five suspected armed robbers were nabbed along the D/Line axis of Port Harcourt when his men raided a criminal hideout, adding that the policemen on approaching the Aba Road end leading to D/Line, intercepted the suspects while others fled, abandoning a revolver pistol with three loaded ammunition.
Nwonyi stated, “ On 12/10/2023 at about 2300hrs, Operatives of Olu-Obasanjo division raided a criminal hideout within D/Line, CFC bus stop axis while approaching Aba Road intercepted five suspects while others took to their heels and abandoned one revolver pistol with three loaded ammunition.
“The suspects are undergoing interrogation, meanwhile investigation is ongoing.”
Similarly, the state police boss said operatives also arrested three suspected armed robbers with a locally made pistol and three axes at the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
“Operatives of the Nkpolu Division, on 13/10/2023 at about 0020hrs received information from the acting chief security officer of Rivers State University that men of the underworld, driven in one grey-colored Lexus Salon Car with reg. no. ABC 699 KM, attacked and wounded one male victim (name withheld, a computer engineering student on his left leg inside the university.
“On receiving the information, the police mobilised a patrol team, intercepted the said car at the university main gate and arrested three suspects.
“An intensive search of the car led to the recovery of three sharp English axes and a locally made pistol. The suspects and exhibit are in police custody while the investigation is in top gear. The police operatives visited the scene of the crime while the investigation is still ongoing,” Nwonyi said.
He reiterated his call on the state’s residents to support the command actively as it was working tirelessly to combat various criminal activities in the state, saying, “Your cooperation and vigilance are invaluable in our ongoing efforts to maintain law and order. We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Rivers State.”
