The Edo Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has arrested a fake Reverend sister over the alleged trafficking of 38 children in Delta State.

It was gathered that the suspect, Ikejimba Maryvianney (alias Oluchi) 40 years old, and one Chidera, now at large, handed over the children to two orphanage homes under the guise of giving them better care.

The children, it was learnt, were handed over to the suspects by their parents at a farm community in Enugu-Awka camp by Monastery, Ilah, Delta State.

Maryvianney was reportedly arrested by the NAPTIP following a tip-off.

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When contacted, the NAPTIP Zonal Commander in Benin, Nduka Nwanwenne, who confirmed the incident said the suspect was in custody.

He said the suspect claimed to be trained in Ghana as a Rev. sister while their headquarters is in the Philippines.

She said she came to meet the parents and persuaded them to allow their children to follow them to their orphanage homes and that they would be given better care.

He added, “To convince the parents when they were handed over the first batch of the children, he said the suspects asked two of the parents to follow them to know the two orphanage homes the children would stay’.

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“32 of the children have been recovered by the agency while six who are between the ages of three and six years old are yet to be recovered

“The suspect claims that three of the six children are in Badagry while the other three are in Ogun State but later said they have been adopted by people in the East.”

He said the agency was still on the trail of the other suspect who is at large and that the suspect would be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

He warned parents to be vigilant and never trust anybody with their kids without asking fundamental questions.

Two loyalists of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, including the lawmaker representing the Aboada West Constituency of the state House of Assembly, Sokari Goodboy; have been arrested at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Also arrested by the police was a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state identified as Ezebunwo Ichemati.

The duo was allegedly arrested by policemen outside the venue of the National Executive Committee meeting of the PDP in Abuja on Thursday.

In a viral video seen, a lady who claims to be a member of Fubara’s media team, said the two men were arrested on the orders of a Local Government chairman in Rivers State.

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She stated, “All of us, the media team that came from Rivers State were together. The next thing – he (the LG Chairman) pointed out that they should arrest the present serving Assembly member who is representing the good people of Aboada West.

“The next thing that came up again, he started giving them instructions he attacked Ezebunwo and tore his shirt.

“We don’t even know what we are doing here because he has ordered that they should arrest all of us.”

It was gathered that the two governor’s loyalists were taken away by the security operatives.

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When contacted, the Governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Jerry Omotsegunwa, confirmed the incident and called for their immediate release.

He stated, “They were there in solidarity so why should they be arrested? Going there to show solidarity, they were not the only ones.

“A lot of Governors also came there with their people and coming to picket some people on the orders of an individual is not it at all. So they should be released immediately.”

Of the present 31 lawmakers of the State House of Assembly, 27 led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while the remaining four are loyal to Fubara.

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Of the four, one and former factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, resigned from the state House of Assembly and was later appointed as Fubara’s Chief of Staff, following the protracted political crisis rocking the state.

The State House of Assembly has 32 constituencies, but one of the lawmakers Dinebari Loolo who represented the Khana Constituency 2, died in 2023.

However, a by-election had yet to be conducted to fill the vacant seat.

When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Adejobi Olumuyiwa picked up the call but dropped it immediately our correspondent introduced himself.

He had yet to reply to a text message sent to his mobile as of the time of filing this report on Thursday evening.

Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed one person at the popular Aroma junction in Awka, Anambra State capital.

The shooting of the youth on Wednesday evening caused pandemonium, causing traders in the area to quickly close their shops and scamper for safety.

The victim, who was said to hail from Amudo Village in Awka, was said to be a tricycle revenue collector who was previously a Keke operator himself.

A source said the assailants trailed him from the Ifite area of the state capital and shot him at close range at a filling station, which serves as a popular bus stop for buses and tricycles.

Business outfits in the area were forced to close shops, and roadside traders abandoned their articles and fled.

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The major roads in the vicinity of the incident suddenly became empty, just as many people abandoned their cars and took to their heels.

The lifeless body of the victim was still lying at the filling station at the time of filing this report.

Awka has been witnessing cult-related killings for some time now, with gangs killing their rivals in broad daylight.