Anambra Govt Arrests Six Suspects, Rescues 29 Children From Exploitation

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

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

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Anambra State Police Command received a total of 36 people, including the six suspects and 29 rescued children aged between six and 44 years.

According to Ikenga, the profiling exercise is part of efforts to tackle child labour, street hawking, human trafficking, and other forms of child exploitation in the state.

He said the process 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.

The police warned that child labour and street hawking expose children to trafficking, abuse, neglect, and other forms of exploitation. The command said anyone found responsible would be investigated and prosecuted in line with the law.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP 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 six suspects were identified as Anyingo Glory, Nwafor Godwin, Chukwudi Ofoke, Chinenye Anyingo, Okwudili Ifeoma, and Moses Anyingo. They were arrested in Nnewi by officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs before being transferred to the police for investigation.

The police said they would continue working with the Ministry of Women Affairs and other stakeholders to protect children's rights, ensure justice for victims, and strengthen efforts against child exploitation across Anambra State.