The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a child trafficking syndicate, arresting two female suspects and rescuing two children in Chokocho, Etche Local Government Area.

The suspects, Ugochukwu Onyebuchi and Ogechi Nmezi, allegedly defrauded two women, Juliet Blossom and Esther Michael, under the guise of arranging baby adoptions.

According to police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, the syndicate worked in collaboration with members of the Onelga Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC).

“On January 24, 2025, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command arrested two suspects, Ugochukwu Onyebuchi and Ogechi Nmezi, for allegedly conspiring to defraud two women under the guise of arranging child adoptions,” the statement read.

The victims, Gift Chimanu and Hope Onyebuchi, were deceived into handing over their children—two-month-old Evidence Olomachukwu Chimanu and one-year-old Chukwuemeka Kingsley—who were later rescued.

The suspects were apprehended at a checkpoint, and investigations revealed their links to OSPAC members, some of whom are now under investigation.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other syndicate members, including the implicated OSPAC operatives,” Iringe-Koko added.

The rescued children have been reunited with their families as police continue their crackdown on child trafficking in Rivers State.