MEET FRANK OSHANUGOR
By Winnie Kodilonye
The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended two suspects involved in a disturbing case of human trafficking in Port Harcourt. The victim was a Day-Old Baby yet to be given name by parents.
The arrested suspects are Daniel Destiny Onyegbulem, a 28-year-old male from Umuoye in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, and Uzodinma Eze, also known as Thank-God, a 33-year-old male from Omanwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Atlanticnewsonline sources said on Monday, 22nd January 2024, diligent officers from the C4i Intelligence Unit of the Rivers State Police Command conducted a routine stop and search operation along Igwuruta-Eneka Road. During the operation, their sharp instincts led them to intercept and question Daniel and Uzodinma, who were riding a commercial motorbike (Okada) from Chokocho, Etche, to Eneka.
It was gathered that in the course of the search, the officers made a shocking discovery. Daniel was found carrying a sack that contained a one-day-old baby. The baby, still covered in blood, was struggling for breath inside the sack, with the placenta also found alongside.
Realising the urgency of the situation, while arresting the suspects there and then, the police swiftly resorted to providing immediate medical attention to the infant, ensuring his safe transportation to the Police Hospital.
The medical personnel on duty were said to have promptly attended to the situation and skillfully resuscitated the baby, who is now in stable health and receiving the necessary care.
Following the apprehension, Daniel cooperated with the investigating officers and revealed crucial information about the criminal network involved in this abhorrent act. He disclosed that he had been contacted by a woman known as ‘Mama Destiny,’ a pastry vendor in his locality. Mama Destiny had enlisted his services to transport the sack containing the baby to Eneka junction, with instructions to await further contact from an associate who would receive the bag.
Police sources said in exchange for his involvement, Daniel was enticed with the payment of 10,000 Naira.
Further revelations emerged through Daniel’s account. He explained that he was summoned to a location along Egbi Road to finalize the transaction.
Accompanied by Mama Destiny’s husband, he was driven to Chokocho junction, where he met Uzodinma, the operator of the commercial motorbike they used for The delivery.
Daniel, remorseful for his actions, admitted his culpability in the crime, attributing his involvement to greed and the influence of malevolent forces.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has commended the dedication and professionalism exhibited by the officers involved in this operation. Their swift action and astute observations led to the apprehension of these human traffickers and the rescue of an innocent child from a grim fate.
The Command has further urged anyone with information that could assist in the ongoing investigation to come forward and cooperate fully with the authorities.
“We reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the lives and welfare of all individuals within our jurisdiction. The Rivers State Police Command will continue to vigorously combat human trafficking and all forms of criminality, ensuring that the perpetrators face the full weight of the law,,” said a statement from the office of the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer.
Efforts made to ascertain the identity of the baby’s parents were unsuccessful as neither the police nor the suspects were ready to disclose who the parents are, as at press time.
