Anambra Rescues 29 Children From Alleged Exploitation, Arrests Six

 

The Anambra State Government has arrested six suspects over alleged child exploitation and rescued 29 children found hawking on the streets of Nnewi.

The operation was carried out by the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Welfare, which subsequently handed the suspects and the children over to the police for profiling and further investigation.

The suspects were identified as Anyingo Glory, Nwafor Godwin, Chukwudi Ofoke, Chinenye Anyingo, Okwudili Ifeoma and Moses Anyingo.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the 29 rescued children, were between the ages of six and 14 years.

He said the profiling exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to combat child labour, street hawking, human trafficking and other forms of child exploitation in the state.

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According to Ikenga, the exercise is aimed at establishing the identities of those involved, determining the circumstances surrounding the children’s involvement, and facilitating their reunification with their families and states of origin where necessary, in collaboration with relevant government agencies and child protection organisations.

He warned that child labour and street hawking expose children to trafficking, abuse, neglect and other forms of exploitation, stressing that anyone found culpable would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Similarly, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from abuse and exploitation.

He urged residents to report cases of child abuse, trafficking, exploitation or neglect to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency channels.

The police added that they would continue to work with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Welfare and other stakeholders to protect children’s rights, ensure justice for victims and strengthen efforts to eradicate child exploitation across Anambra State.

The command said the ongoing investigation is expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and ensure appropriate legal action against anyone found to have violated the rights of the rescued children.

 

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