Anambra Govt rescues 29 children, arrests six over child exploitation

The Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Welfare has arrested six suspects over alleged child exploitation and rescued 29 children found hawking in Nnewi, Nnewi.

The suspects and the rescued children were later handed over to the Anambra State Police Command for profiling and further investigation.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Sunday.

According to Ikenga, the police received 36 persons, aged between six and 44 years, including the six suspects, from the Ministry of Women Affairs as part of ongoing efforts to combat child labour, street hawking, human trafficking and other forms of child exploitation in the state.

“The exercise is aimed at establishing their identities, determining the circumstances surrounding their involvement, and ensuring the possible reunification of the victims with their families and respective states of origin where necessary, in collaboration with relevant government agencies and child protection stakeholders,” the statement said.

The command warned that child labour and street hawking expose children to trafficking, abuse, neglect and other criminal activities, adding that anyone found culpable would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

It also urged parents, guardians and members of the public to refrain from engaging children in hazardous labour or exposing them to the dangers associated with street hawking.

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

He encouraged 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 identified the six suspects as Anyingo Glory, Nwafor Godwin, Chukwudi Ofoke, Chinenye Anyingo, Okwudili Ifeoma and Moses Anyingo.

According to the command, the suspects were arrested in Nnewi by the Ministry of Women Affairs over alleged involvement in child exploitation before being handed over to the police for comprehensive profiling and investigation.

The police reiterated their commitment to working with the Ministry of Women Affairs and other stakeholders to protect children’s rights, ensure justice for victims and strengthen efforts to combat child exploitation across the state.