From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old woman, Blessing Jack, for allegedly leading a child trafficking syndicate that specialises in stealing and selling newborn babies across the state.
Also arrested were three female accomplices identified as Chinonso Raymond, 30; Chinyere Okorie, 32; and Nkechi Nwankwo, 50.
The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the C4i Intelligence Unit following a coordinated operation on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Igwuruta, Port Harcourt.
Confirming the arrests in a statement, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the operation was carried out through technically-aided policing. She revealed that a conversation between Jack and one Marley Oburu exposed the syndicate’s criminal activities.
“Blessing Jack discussed how an associate took a woman’s baby under the guise that the child had died, only for the group to sell the baby for ₦2 million.
The suspects used fake scans and deceitful tactics to manipulate pregnant women and take possession of their babies,” Iringe-Koko said.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that Jack had previously served a three-year prison sentence in Calabar, Cross River State, for a similar offence, underscoring her deep involvement in the illicit trade.
The Police PRO added that all suspects have confessed to the crime, explaining their individual roles in the syndicate. “They are currently in custody while an in-depth investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members and dismantle the network,” she added.
Commending the operatives, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga A. Adepoju, vowed that the command would not relent in protecting vulnerable citizens and eradicating human trafficking in the state.
He urged members of the public to provide useful information that could aid in the investigation and prosecution of such crimes.