Fifteen suspected trafficked children have been rescued by operatives of the Rivers State Police Command from the residence of one Maureen Wechinwu, who claimed to be a Reverend Sister, in Aluu Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State. She was paraded alongside 20 other suspects arrested in the state within August and September for various crimes. During the parade of suspects by the State Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, it was revealed that the rescued children were aged between seven and nine years. According to the CP, preliminary investigations have revealed that the children were kidnapped from different parts of the South-South states and were being sold out to people. He said it took over 24 hours before the children were able to tell their experiences to the police, adding that they were being tortured and maybe hypnotized as well. “On September 3, 2022, ‘Operation Restore Peace’ personnel of the command, acting on credible information regarding hideout of child traffickers, stormed Omuigwe, Abuja Phase II, Aluu, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where a lady who claimed to be a Rev. Sister, Maureen Wechinwu, aged 44 years, was arrested," the CP said.
“Fifteen children were rescued, and the case was transferred to CP Monitoring Unit for discrete investigation. Investigation revealed the following facts: Prosper Godwin (m) was abducted at Ikpazasia market in Bayelsa State on 31/10/2020, together with two others whom he does not know their whereabouts, and was taken to the suspect.
“Later, he (Prosper) was sold to a woman in Lagos and subsequently returned to the suspect. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Godwin Ododor have been contacted and they corroborated the statement of the child.”
“Queen Harry (f) was abducted at Ojukwu filed Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt at about 1900 hours, while on an errand with the elder sister. The mother, Mrs. Florence has been contacted and she corroborated the fact.
“Miracle John Ohiri (f) was abducted on November 19, 2021, at Ada-George Road, Port Harcourt, opposite Holy Rock Church, along with her mother and two siblings, who have not been seen to date.
“The father John Ohiri has been contacted for identification of the child, who corroborated her statement that he reported the incident at Rumuokpakani Police Station.
“Favour Edeze (f) was abducted at Creek Road Market Port Harcourt on April 29, 2022, at about 1000 hours, while on an errand. The father, one Emeka Edeze, has been contacted and identified his child and also confirmed the incident.
“Chimele Obinna (f) was abducted on April 24, 2022, at Rumuodara/Culvet Oroigwe, Port Harcourt, while seated in front of their house with her sister. The mother Glory Obinna was contacted and she stated that the incident was reported at Okporo Police Station.”
Eboka said five parents have come and identified their children and that the police were yet to locate the parents of the remaining, calling on parents who lost their children to visit the Command.
Meanwhile, Wechinwu in an interview, said she has become a disgrace to her people and herself, stressing that she is not into trafficking.
She claimed she run an Orphanage home with children of mad people. "Fransisca Onyinyechi, was given birth to by a mad woman in Ogbogoro community market," she said.
“I am of the Ladies of Victory Missionary Sisters. It is in England. Foreign Congregation. I am the only Nigerian in it.
“Some of the children are from mentally challenged people. The others were brought to me by one Mr. Victor. Sometimes, he comes with them in twos. One Miss Alice brought two to me. Alice said since I am a beginner that I should take them.
“Sometimes when victor brings children he will be demanding money. But due to the pressure on me sometimes I give N50,000, N60,000, and N100, 000.”
But, two women who have already identified their children at the police headquarters in Rivers State have expressed joy over the police operation that led to the rescue of their children.