Four women believed to be members of a kidnap syndicate have been arrested in Rivers State.
They were arrested in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state, for allegedly kidnapping and trafficking a four-year-old in Afam.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and made available to newsmen.
Iringe-Koko said one of the suspects known by the victim had lured the infant to her accomplices.
She said the four female suspects aged between 19 and 26 were arrested while trying to transport the infant to Aba in Abia State.
The statement read, “The Rivers State Police have arrested one Victoria Okon, 23, Jessica Ndifreke, 26, Charity Samuel, 19 and Chinaza Daniel, 25, in connection with the abduction of a four-year-old boy, Unique Tan Timitoms at Afam. Victoria, who is known by the victim was said to have lured him to the other suspects.
“The suspects were eventually arrested while trying to transport their victim to Aba.
“Meanwhile, the victim has been reunited with his parents,” it added, even as it admonishes all residents of the state to be cautious in exposing their children to neighbours and friends they do not truly know.
In a related development, the command said two persons were arrested for allegedly kidnapping and trafficking a 15-year-old girl.
The state police image maker said the feat was achieved by detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said the first suspect allegedly took the victim to Lagos State on February 5, 2023 for prostitution.
She stated, “Detectives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested one Mary Samson in connection with the abduction and trafficking of one Favour Cleopas (f), 15 years old on the 29th January 2023.
“The suspect allegedly took the victim to Lagos State on 5th February 2023 for prostitution.
“Investigation revealed that the suspect conspired with one Blessing Christopher to send girls to one Christabel Christopher, who is into prostitution in Lagos State.
“Two victims earlier trafficked to Lagos by the suspect, Tari Paul (f), 16 and Blessings Temple (F), 16 have been rescued by detectives and are helping in the investigation.”
