The Rivers State Police Command has uncovered a major child trafficking syndicate operating within the state and arrested its suspected leader, 54-year-old Blessing Jack, along with several accomplices.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that operatives of the Command’s C4i Intelligence Unit carried out the operation through intelligence-led policing on October 9, 2025, in the Igwuruta area of Port Harcourt.
According to her, Blessing Jack, who resides on Timber Road, Igwuruta, allegedly exploited vulnerable young mothers by deceitfully obtaining and selling their newborn babies for huge financial gains.
She said a recorded conversation between Jack and one Marley Oburu exposed the group’s operation, during which they discussed how a woman’s baby was falsely declared dead and later sold for ₦2 million.
The syndicate reportedly used fake medical scans and emotional manipulation to deceive pregnant women before selling their babies.
Preliminary investigations further revealed that the suspect had previously been jailed for three years in Calabar for a similar offence, indicating a long history of involvement in human trafficking.
SP Iringe-Koko added that all the arrested suspects have confessed to the crime and detailed their roles in the operation.
“The 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,” she said.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the operatives for their diligence and professionalism, assuring that the Command remains resolute in its efforts to combat human trafficking and other forms of exploitation in the state.
“The Police Command will continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure that those who prey on them are brought to justice,” Adepoju stated.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible information that could assist in investigations and prosecutions. “Together, we can build a safer and more secure society for all,” he added.
