A suspected child trafficker, Maureen Wechinwu, who has been arrested by operatives of Rivers State Police Command has confessed that she buys the children for N50, 000 each.
The suspect who was caught with 15 children in her custody at the time of her arrest was paraded alongside 20 other suspects between August and September for various crimes.
According to the police, Maureen was arrested at her residence in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, and the15 children were rescued following intelligence reports.
The Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, revealed that the children rescued from the suspected trafficker were aged between seven and nine,
He added that the suspect would be prosecuted upon completion of investigations
Also, Eboka revealed that preliminary investigations have shown that the children were picked from different parts of the South-South states and were being sold.
According to him, it took over 24 hours before the children were able to narrate their experiences to the police, adding that they were being tortured and maybe hypnotised as well
His words: “On September 3, Operation Restore Peace Personnel of the Command, acting on credible information regarding a hideout of child traffickers, stormed Omuigwe Abuja Phase II, Aluu, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where a lady who claimed to be Rev. Sister Maureen Wechinwu, aged 44 years, was arrested.
“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 then returned to the suspect.
“The parents, Mr and Mrs Godwin Ododor, have been contacted and they corroborated the child’s statement.
“Queen Harry (f) was abducted at Ojukwu Field Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt at about 7 p.m., while on an errand with the elder sister.
“The mother, Mrs Florence, has been contacted and she corroborated the facts.
“Miracle John Ohiri (f) was abducted on 19/11/2021 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, who has been contacted for identification of the child, corroborated her statement that he reported the incident at Rumuokpakani Police Station.
“Favour Edeze (f) was abducted at Creek Road Market, Port Harcourt 29/04/2022 at about 10 a.m., 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 24/04/2022 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 stated five parents have come to identify their children and that the police were yet to locate the parents of the others, calling on parents who lost their children to visit the command.
Meanwhile Maureen Wechinwu, in an interview, stated that she had become a disgrace to her people and to herself and insisted that she is not a trafficker.
Maureen said: “I run an orphanage with children of mad people. Fransisca Onyinyechi, who was given birth to by a mad woman in Ogbogoro community market, is one.
“I cannot say that I am a reverend sister now that I am a disgrace. But I believe I was earlier.
“I am of the Ladies of Victory Missionary Sisters. It is in England, a foreign congregation. I am the only Nigerian in it.
“Some of the children are mad people’s children. The others are 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.