27th October, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
A notorious child trafficker, Happiness Enyinnaya Iheukeumere aka Dr. Hagi and her accomplices have been arrested for allegedly selling four children to different families in different parts of the Country.
Parading the suspects at the Police Command headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers Commissioner of Police on Thursday, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, said the arrest of the child trafficking kingpin followed a report by one Ijeoma James in Port Harcourt that one Promise came into her compound and stole her 4-year-old son, Prosper.
James told the police that all efforts to locate her child proved abortive.
Police investigation of the child theft led to the arrest of Ifesinachi Opara, who led the investigators to Dr Hagi.
CP Emeka stated that further investigations also led to the recovery of three children stolen by Dr. Hagi in different parts of the country.
Three of the children were allegedly stolen in Benue State.
“Following a case of abduction reported on 09 September 2023 at about 4.50 pm by One Ijeoma James 35 years old, in Awalama Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt, on 16th of August 2023, One Promise came into their compound and stole her 4-year-old son Prosper James, and all efforts to locate her child proved abortive.
“Police detective’s Special Area division undercover swung into action by means of intelligence-led policing, one Ifesinachi Opara was arrested, which also led to the arrest of one Happiness Enyinnaya Iheukwumere, A.K.A. Dr. Hagi, to whom he sold the child.
“Further investigation also led to the recovery of three more children trafficked by Dr Hagi from different locations of the country: three from Benue State, Benedict Kpaaka one year, seven months old, Godgift Julius 4 years old, and one Philomina 6 years old, all rescued from different locations in Port Harcourt where they had been sold.
“Further investigation revealed that one Angel Shimeson ‘f’, 25 years old, from Makurdi still (at large), is the supplier of the children to Dr. Hagi.
CP Emeka said efforts are being intensified to arrest the culprits.
Meanwhile, the child trafficker, Happiness Enyinnaya Iheukeumere confessed to having sold the children, while pleading with the government, the law enforcement agencies and the society to forgive him.