I Buy Them For N50,000 – A Rev Sister Caught With 15 Children Confessed

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a suspected child trafficker, Maureen Wechinwu, who claims to be a Reverend Sister and confessed she buys the children. Operatives of the Rivers State Police also paraded 20 other suspects arrested between August and September for various crimes.

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command based on intelligence reports, arrested Maureen at her residence in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, and rescued 15 children from her home.

The Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, revealed that the children rescued from the suspected trafficker were aged between seven and nine, adding that the suspect would be prosecuted upon completion of investigations.

Friday Eboka said preliminary investigations have shown that the children were picked from different parts of the South-South states and were being sold out.

He said it took over 24 hours before the children were able to tell their experiences to the police, adding that they were being tortured and maybe hypnotized as well.

According to his words; “On September 3, 2022 Operation Restore Peace Personnel of the Command, acting on credible information regarding hideout of child traffickers, stormed Omuigwe Abuja Phase II, Aluu, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers state, where a lady who claimed to be Rev Sister Maureen Wechinwu, aged 44 years old, was arrested for child trafficking.

“Fifteen children were rescued, and the case has been transferred to Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit for discrete investigation.

“Investigation revealed the following facts; Prosper Godwin (m) was abducted at Ikpazasia market in Bayelsa State on 31/10/2020, together with two others whom he does not know their whereabouts, and was taken to the suspect.

“Later, Prosper was sold to a woman in Lagos and subsequently returned back to the suspect. The parents of Prosper, Mr. and Mrs. Godwin Ododor, have been contacted and they corroborated the child’s statement.

“Queen Harry (f) was abducted at Ojukwu filed Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt at about 7p.m., while on an errand with the elder sister. The mother, Mrs. Florence, have been contacted and she corroborated the facts.

“Miracle John Ohiri (f) was abducted on 19/11/2021 at Ada-George Road, Port Harcourt, opposite Holy Rock Church, along with her mother and two siblings, who have not been seen till date. The father, John Ohiri, has been contacted for identification of the child, who corroborated her statement that he reported the incident at Rumuokpakani Police Station.

“Favour Edeze (f) was abducted at Creek Road Market Port Harcourt on 29/04/2022 at about 10a.m., while on errand. The father, one Emeka Edeze, has been contacted and identified his child and also confirmed the incident.

“Chimele Obinna (f) was abducted on 24/04/2022 at Rumuodara/Culvet Oroigwe, Port Harcourt, while seated in front of their house with her sister. The mother, Glory Obinna, was contacted and she stated that the incident was reported at Okporo Police Station.”

Friday Eboka stated that five parents have come and identified their children and that the police were yet to locate the parents of the remaining, calling in parents who lost their children to visit the Police command.

However, the suspect Maureen Wechinwu, in an interview, stated that she has become a disgrace to her people and to herself, insisting that she is not into trafficking. According to the words of Maureen Wechinwu; “I run an orphanage with children of mad people. Fransisca Onyinyechi, who was given birth to by a mad woman in Ogbogoro community market, is one of them.

“I cannot say that I am a reverend sister now that I am disgraced. But I believe I was earlier. I am of the Ladies of Victory Missionary Sisters. It is in England, a Foreign Congregation. I am the only Nigerian in it.

“Some of the children are mad people’s children. The others are brought to me by one Mr. Victor. Sometimes he comes with them in twos. One Miss Alice brought two to me. Alice said since I am a beginner that I should take them.

“Sometimes when Victor brings children, he will be demanding money. But due to the pressure on me sometimes I give N50,000, N60,000, and N100,000,” she stated during an interview by Journalists.

However, Two women, who have already identified their children at the police headquarters, expressed joy over the police operation that led to the children’s rescue. Glory Onyia, mother of one of the rescued children, disclosed that her child went missing five months ago, adding that the family has been in pain.

According to the words of Gloria Onyia; “My child got missing on 22nd April 2022. He is an eight-year-old boy. I have been moving around from church to church. I even went to Okporo Police Station to give reports.

“I went out and when I returned I did not see my child till night; I searched for him all around. I am very happy right now. When he saw me he was very happy, shouting Mummy and everybody in our compound shouted when the police brought him.”

Also, Nkechinyere Harry one of the victims mother said; “My daughter is Queen Harry, she is nine. She was kidnapped at Miles One close to Ojukwu field. I sent her to go to the market where they sell bole. I usually sent her to go there to get yam peels for our goats.

“I sent her elder sister and she went with her. When they got there, one man sent her elder sister on an errand. When she returned, Queen was missing. Her elder sister came back home saying she could not find her.”