The Rivers State Police have taken custody of Charles Micheal and six individuals accused of selling his three children for ₦1.5 Million.
Thursday saw the parading of the suspects at the State Police Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt, where they were joined by an expelled policeman involved in car snatching, along with other suspects.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, told reports, ‘Operatives of the CP Monitoring Unit on July 8 based on the revelation of two suspects earlier arrested in a case of child trafficking, extended the investigation to Omudiaga, Emohua Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers and Ogbaku in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State where they arrested the duo of Ndubuisi Egbueri ‘M, and Ndubuisi Wosa ‘M,’ at Omudiaga, and one Chioma Anele ‘F at Ogbaku.’
‘Both Ndubuisi Egbueri and Ndubuisi Wosa confessed to receiving one of the baby, which they later handed over to Hon. Regina Aki ‘F at Rukpokwu in Port Harcourt. Aki was also arrested and admitted to contacting one Favour Amaewhule ‘F at Aluu, where the baby was sold in presence of Michael Charles, the father.’
‘Subsequently, Favour Amaewhule ‘F was arrested and admitted to buying the baby for the sum of ₦700,000.00, while ₦350,000.00 was paid to Michael Charles, the father of the baby, and ₦350,000.00 was paid to Regina Aki and partners.’
‘However, the baby bought by Favour Amaewhule has been recovered, and the investigation is in top gear with a view to recovering the other babies received by Chioma Anele ‘F.’ Seven (7) suspects are currently in custody.’
In a startling admission, Michael admitted to selling his 5-year-old child, 2-year-old child, and a day-old infant for ₦700,000, ₦500,000, and ₦350,000 respectively, citing economic hardship as the motive behind his actions.
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Iringe-Koko, the Police Spokesman, confirmed that the day-old and 2-year-old children have been safely retrieved, and the investigation is progressing to locate and recover the 5-year-old child.
The mother-in-law of Micheal explained that her son-in-law had been deceiving her, claiming that her grandchildren did not survive beyond birth. She added that the suspect manipulated the disabilities of her daughter, who is deaf and mute, to sell the children without her awareness.
The State Police Command has made another breakthrough by arresting and dismissing Police Corporal Bright Wamadi for his participation in car snatching. During the operation. Guns and ammunition were recovered from his gang.
The Police Spokesperson stated, ‘On Thursday, men of the C4i Intelligence Team while on routine patrol became suspicious of a Toyota Corolla 2005 model with Reg. No. Rivers BNY 741 FV along Ada George Road, Port Harcourt, which aligned with an earlier intelligence the team had received.’
‘The team gave them a hot chase, and eventually intercepted the vehicle. Three armed robbers, Cpl. Bright Okay Wamadi ‘M’ (a police officer), Samuel Charles ‘M,’ and Michael Nwanchukwu ‘M, were arrested while one member of the gang escaped.’
‘It was discovered that the four-armed robbers robbed a victim (name withheld) in a bid to snatch his Toyota Corolla 2005 Model with Reg. No. Rivers BNY 741 FV grey colour at gunpoint around Apostolic Church Gateway, Port Harcourt.’
‘The suspects confessed to the crime, while the Police Officer Cpl. Bright Okey has been tried and dismissed upon conclusion of the investigation in line with police internal procedures.’
The suspects were found in possession of a single barrel locally made gun, along with one live cartridge, and a grey 2005 model Toyota Corolla car, all of which were recovered by the police.
In a commendable effort, the Octopus Unit in Port Harcourt apprehended a gang of four robbers who had snatched a union bus. As a result, one alleged notorious cultist and robber, Bobmanuel, was arrested, and the stolen vehicle was swiftly recovered.