By Deborah Nnamdi
The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a child trafficking syndicate operating out of Aba, Abia State, rescuing a pregnant woman held captive by the group.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed the development in a statement on Monday, said the operation followed weeks of discreet intelligence gathering by the command’s tactical unit.
Two suspects identified as Sunshine Hart (28) and Kingsley Ekocha (38) were apprehended during the raid in Aba on June 24, 2025. Both are believed to be members of a wider network involved in trafficking women and children across state lines.
One of the major breakthroughs in the operation was the rescue of Regina Sunday, a 24-year-old pregnant woman, who had been held against her will. She was immediately placed under protective custody by the authorities.
According to the police, Sunday went into labour on June 30, just six days after her rescue, and gave birth to a baby boy at the Police Clinic in Port Harcourt. Both mother and child are said to be in stable condition and receiving medical care.
“This operation represents a significant stride in the command’s ongoing battle against human trafficking,” said Iringe-Koko. “We remain committed to rooting out the networks that enable such heinous crimes and bringing all perpetrators to justice.”
The statement further noted that efforts are underway to track down other members of the syndicate who are currently at large.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the efforts of the officers involved and called on the public to support the command by reporting suspicious activities related to human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is a serious crime that undermines the dignity and safety of our society,” Adepoju said. “We urge citizens to remain vigilant and share information that can help us rescue victims and hold traffickers accountable.”
