Tension is mounting in Rivers State as a Port Harcourt-based woman, Mrs. Sandra Godknows, has accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Igwuruta Police Station of releasing key suspects in an alleged child trafficking case while one of the victims, an eight-year-old girl remains missing.

The suspects, a lawyer resident in Igwuruta and John Uzoegbu, an orphanage operator based in Imo State, were reportedly arrested in connection with the case involving Mrs. Godknows’ late brother’s children.

However, she alleged that both men were freed under questionable circumstances, raising concerns over possible compromise and obstruction of justice.

Recounting her ordeal, Mrs. Godknows said she received a distress call informing her that her nephew had been taken to Igwuruta Police Station.

Upon arrival on February 18, 2026, the visibly shaken 10-year-old boy allegedly narrated how their mother handed him and his younger sister over to an orphanage operator, who subsequently gave the girl away before transferring him to the custody of a lawyer.

Fearing he was about to be moved to an unknown destination, the boy reportedly escaped by scaling a fence and raising an alarm, drawing the attention of passersby who intervened.

Local vigilante operatives (OSPAC) later apprehended the lawyer, leading to the arrest of the orphanage owner in Imo State.

Both suspects were subsequently brought to Igwuruta Police Station. However, Mrs. Godknows alleged that events took a troubling turn when the DPO openly exchanged pleasantries with the orphanage owner, whom he reportedly described as a friend.

She further claimed that despite repeated directives from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Port Harcourt for the transfer of the case file and suspects, the Igwuruta Division has failed to comply.

Even more alarming, she alleged that the suspects have since been released, while the whereabouts of the eight-year-old girl remain unknown.

“When we got to the Igwuruta Police station,the owner of the orphanage home and the DPO hugged themselves and had a handshake.The DPO said the owner of the Orphanage home is his good friend.

“There, the owner of the orphanage picked his phone and called his relatives telling them that they should not bother to come and that he will be coming back safely.

“This is about the life of a child. I am calling on the police authorities and the public to intervene before it is too late,” she added.

In response, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that information obtained from the DPO indicated the children were legally adopted.

She explained that the boy was brought to the station earlier by an OSPAC commander, and that both the lawyer and the orphanage owner presented documents, including court papers, purportedly validating the adoption process.

“The child raised the alarm because he was not comfortable with the family he was adopted into. The mother reportedly consented, and legal documents were presented,” she said.

Reacting to the development, Prince Wiro, National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, described the situation as deeply troubling and called for immediate escalation of the case to the SCIID.

He emphasized that police protocol mandates compliance when a higher investigative unit requests case transfer, warning that failure to do so could undermine the integrity of the investigation.

Wiro also questioned the legality of the adoption process, noting that private orphanage homes are not empowered to independently facilitate child adoptions, a responsibility reserved for the Ministry of Social Welfare.

He urged authorities to compel the reappearance of the suspects before the SCIID, verify the authenticity of all adoption documents, and extend investigations to the Ministry of Social Welfare in Imo State.

“The police must act decisively. If the suspects are not produced, appropriate sanctions should follow. The missing child must be found, and justice must be served.

‘I also urge the SCIID to extend their investigation to the Ministry of Social welfare in Imo state to verify if these children were actually given out for adoption by the Ministry. If the DPO fails to produce the lawyer and the owner of the orphanage home at the level of SCIID, Port Harcourt he should be sanctioned .

“The Police is a disciplined organization. Efforts should also be made to re-arrest the lawyer and the owner of the orphanage home to ensure thorough investigation so that justice can be served to all the parties involved,” Wiro added. (Daily Independent)

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