By Musa Kutama, Calabar
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old woman, Blessing Jack, for an alleged activities in child trafficking syndicate led by her.
Also apprehended were three other suspects identified as Chinonso Raymond, a female aged 30; Chinyere Okorie, 32 years old female; and Nkechi Nwankwo, also a female, aged 50.
Ms Jack, a resident of Timber Road, Igwuruta, Port-Harcourt, was reported to have exploited vulnerable young mothers by stealing and selling their newborn babies for financial gains.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the arrests, said that on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at about 3pm, operatives attached to the C4i Intelligence Unit, through technically-aided policing, arrested the suspect at Igwuruta, in Port-Harcourt.
“A conversation between Blessing Jack and one Marley Oburu, a male, revealed the syndicate’s modus operandi. She discussed a recent incident where her associate had taken a woman’s baby, claiming the baby had died, whereas she had been paid the sum of N2 million for the transaction.
“The transaction suggested that Blessing and her associates use fake scans and manipulate vulnerable pregnant women to obtain their babies,” the PPRO disclosed.
Thenewsbearer learnt that a preliminary investigation revealed that Blessing Jack had previously been imprisoned in Calabar, Cross River State, for three years over child trafficking, which highlighted her long-standing involvement in the illicit business.
Iringe-Koko said the suspects voluntarily confessed to the crime, detailing their individual roles in the crime.
She stated: “Suspects are currently in police custody, while an in-depth investigation has been launched to arrest other members of the syndicate and dismantle the network.”
Commending the operatives for their diligence in investigating and apprehending the suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga A. Adepoju, said that the command would continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable individuals and combat human trafficking in the state.
He appealed to the public to report any information that may aid in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases.
