By Godwin Paulinus
A rights advocate has called for an independent investigation into a disputed child adoption case in Rivers State following allegations that two minors were trafficked and that police failed to properly handle the matter.
The call was made by Prince Wiro, National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign (CBRPAC), after a Port Harcourt-based woman, Mrs Sandra Godknows, accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Igwuruta Police Division under the Ikwerre Area Command of releasing two suspects earlier arrested over the matter.
Mrs Godknows alleged that the suspect, an Igwuruta-based lawyer and John Uzoegbu, who runs an orphanage in neighbouring Imo State, were linked to the movement of her late brother’s children, a 10-year-old boy and his eight-year-old sister.
According to her, she was alerted to the situation when a relative in her village informed her that the boy had been taken to Igwuruta Police Station after raising an alarm in the community.
She said when she arrived at the station, the boy narrated that their mother had taken both children to the orphanage operator, who later handed the girl over to another party before he was taken to live with the lawyer in Igwuruta.
The woman further alleged that the boy fled the residence after overhearing discussions suggesting he might be moved elsewhere.
“He (the boy) told me he became afraid when he heard the man (lawyer) discussing plans to take him to another place he did not know,” she said. “He jumped the fence and started shouting for help before someone rescued him and took him to members of OSPAC.”
Godknows said local vigilantes subsequently arrested the lawyer and handed him over to the police, after which she joined officers in travelling to Imo State where the orphanage owner was also arrested and brought to Rivers State for questioning.
However, she claimed that events at the police station raised concerns for her after the suspects were allegedly released.
She also expressed worry that the younger child remains unaccounted for.
“The sister of the boy is still nowhere to be found,” she said, appealing to the police authorities and the public to help ensure the matter is thoroughly investigated.
Responding to the allegations, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Chief Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, said preliminary information from the DPO indicated that the children were adopted through a legal process.
According to her, the case began on 6 February, 2026, when the commander of the local vigilante group OSPAC in Ikwerre Local Government Area brought the lawyer and the boy to the station after the child raised an alarm.
Iringe-Koko explained that the suspects maintained that the child’s mother willingly released him for adoption and later presented court documents to support their claim.
She said the documents suggested the adoption process was lawful and that arrangements were made for the matter to be returned to the court.
Reacting to the development, Wiro urged the police to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for an independent review.
He said the procedure was necessary, especially since the complainant had expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case at the divisional level.
“We all know that when once there is a signal from a unit that is higher than the Division,it is mandatory for the Division to transfer the case to that unit.From what I know private orphanage homes are not empowered by law to give out children for purposes of adoption is only the ministry of Social Welfare,” Wiro said according to Revelation Agent publication.
He added that the authenticity of the adoption documents should be verified and that the Ministry of Social Welfare in Imo State should also be consulted to determine whether due process was followed in releasing the children.
Wiro further suggested that investigators should locate the missing girl and clarify the circumstances surrounding the adoption.
According to him, ensuring transparency in the investigation would help determine whether the case involved legitimate adoption procedures or possible violations of child protection laws.
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