The Anambra State Government has intensified its fight against child exploitation with the arrest of six suspects and the rescue of 29 children allegedly involved in street hawking in Nnewi.
The operation was carried out by the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Welfare, which subsequently handed over the suspects and rescued children to the Anambra State Police Command for profiling and further investigation.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Command received a total of 36 persons, aged between six and 44 years, including the six suspects, as part of ongoing efforts to combat child labour, street hawking, human trafficking and other forms of child exploitation in the state.
According to Ikenga, the profiling 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 stakeholders.
The Police Command warned that child labour and street hawking expose children to serious dangers, including trafficking, abuse, neglect and other criminal activities, stressing that anyone found culpable will be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from all forms of abuse and exploitation.
He urged parents, guardians and members of the public to desist from engaging children in hazardous labour or exposing them to the risks associated with street hawking, while encouraging residents to report cases of child abuse, trafficking, exploitation or neglect through the nearest police station or the Command’s emergency channels.
The six suspects identified by the Police are Anyingo Glory, Nwafor Godwin, Chukwudi Ofoke, Chinenye Anyingo, Okwudili Ifeoma, and Moses Anyingo. They were arrested by the Ministry of Women Affairs over their alleged involvement in child exploitation before being transferred to the Police Command for comprehensive investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command reiterated its commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Women Affairs and other stakeholders to safeguard children’s rights, ensure justice for victims and strengthen measures against child exploitation across the state.
