Rivers State Police Rescue 16 Children, Arrest Suspected Child Trafficker In Ozuoba

The Rivers State police have rescued 16 children and apprehended a woman suspected of having links to child trafficking, the authorities confirmed Monday.

"The 16 children were rescued by our police operatives in Ozuoba following a tip-off and conducting intelligence gathering in the area," police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said, Premium Times reported. "One individual has been arrested, and an investigation is underway to identify other accomplices."

The police spokesperson said the children were found in an estate in the Ozuoba community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, adding that the case has been handed over to the Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit for further investigation.

The unidentified suspect was reported by Ozuoba residents, revealing that she often used to come to the house with different kids. A witness named Faith claimed that the woman had been "taking children from nearby communities and churches."

"On Sunday, some individuals confronted her and inquired what she was doing with so many children, but she could not provide a satisfactory explanation, prompting them to contact the police," Faith said.

Another witness -- who didn't disclose his name for safety reasons -- said that for the last two years, the woman had been living in the compound with many kids.

The arrest came one month after President Bola Tinubu appointed Lami Binta Adamu Bello, who previously served as the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, as the director general of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

In May, Tinubu received his Senegalese counterpart, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and discussed various issues, including terrorism, banditry, human trafficking and poverty.

In the same month, the president acknowledged that after taking office, he witnessed first-hand how young girls were dealing with unwanted teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, human trafficking and drug addiction problems in the country.

Kidnapping of adults was also common in Nigeria. Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun assured the public last month that the cops will rescue Nigerians currently being held by kidnappers.

A report by Statisense released on the same day revealed that at least 2,149 Nigerians were kidnapped across the country last year.