The police command in Rivers says its operatives have arrested five members of a syndicate allegedly specialised in exploiting vulnerable young mothers to steal their babies.
A statement on Monday by Grace Iringe-Koko, Rivers police spokesperson, said the syndicate used “fake scans and manipulated vulnerable pregnant women to obtain their babies”.
Iringe-Koko said Blessing Jack, a 54-year-old woman who leads the syndicate, was arrested in Port Harcourt on October 9, leading to the arrest of other members of the group.
Other members of the syndicate are Marley Obur, Chinonso Raymond, Chinyere Okorie, and Nkechi Nwankwo.
Advertisement
“A conversation between Blessing Jack and one Marley Oburu ‘m’ 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, but had been paid the sum of two million naira (N2,000,000) for the transaction,” the statement reads.
“The transaction suggested that Blessing and her associates use fake scans and manipulate vulnerable pregnant women to obtain their babies.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that Blessing Jack had previously been imprisoned in Calabar for three years for child trafficking, highlighting her long-standing involvement in the illicit business.
Advertisement
“All the suspects voluntarily confessed to the crime, detailing their individual roles in the crime.
“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.”
