The police in Rivers State have said its operatives rescued 15 children who were kidnapped within and outside the state and kept in the house of a fake Rev. Sister in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, at a news briefing to showcase some of the command’s achievements on Tuesday.

Eboka said the woman who claimed to be a Reverend sister, Maureen Wechinwu, 44, was arrested, saying she would be charged to court.

He said, “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.

“A lady who claimed to be Rev. Sister, Maureen Wechinwuz was arrested. Fifteen children ranging from seven to nine years were rescued. The case has been transferred to CP Monitoring Unit for discrete investigation.

“It took us over 24 hours before we could extract any information from the children. Some of them who could talk recounted their experiences with the woman.

“One of them known as Prosper Godwin informed us that on the 31st of October, 2020, he was abducted at Ikpazasia market in Bayelsa State on 31/10/2020, together with two others whom he did not know their whereabouts and was taken to the suspects.

“Later, he was sold to a woman in Lagos. Unfortunately, on getting to Lagos, the woman who bought him realised that the boy was too sharp, and returned him to the seller. That was how he managed to come back to that place (Aluu in Rivers).”

Some of the other children rescued are Queen Harry, Miracle John Ohiri, Favour Edeze, Emeka Edeze, and Chimele Obinna.

Eboka further disclosed that of the 15 children, five of their parents have been contacted, saying, “We are yet to locate the parents of the remaining 10 children for identification. Investigation is ongoing with the view of arresting other suspects linked in the case.”

In a related development, the state police boss said 21 suspected armed robbers, including a bolt driver, were arrested from various parts of the state.

“On 10th August 2022, Operatives of C4i Intelligence Unit, based on credible information, arrested one Obinna Dike, 39 of No. 72 Ibeto road Port Harcourt, a bolt driver who specializes in robbing his passengers at gunpoint.

“One of his recent operations is at Evo road G.R.A, where he robbed a lady, Boma Adolphus of the sum of N150, 000 .00. He confessed to the crime, and investigation is ongoing,” the CP said.

He said items recovered from the bolt driver included one Infinix phone 6816, a Toyota Matrix Blue in color with Reg. No PHC 577 ALA.

Similarly, he said operatives arrested two suspected gun runners, Ifeanyi Nneji, 29; and Idowu Peter, 32; at Oil Mill junction, while trying to sell a locally made pistol to one Bariduanem Dim Justice, 34.

“They were all apprehended and are helping us in our investigation,” the CP said.

Eboka stated that 16 other suspects were arrested for various crimes, while a total of nine vehicles, six arms, three cartridges, and three motorcycles were recovered.

CP Eboka said, “This command under my watch will not rest until all criminal elements – wherever they are – will be fished out and made to face the law.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the good people of the state for the working synergy existing between them and the police.”