Juliana Francis
The Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare on Sunday rescued nine girls from sex slavery.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ikenga Tochukwu, while confirming the incident, explained that the victims were between ages15 to 23, adding that the proprietor of the hotel has been arrested.
Tochukwu added: “Meanwhile, further interrogations and confessions of the rescued girls, revealed that the respective persons that brought them to the brothel lured and enticed them on the assurances of giving them jobs to alleviate poverty, needs of their parents and dependents.
“They further confessed to being taken from Ebonyi, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom, and Rivers States. Also, the Police Command is in collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare to make sure the girls are taken care of and safely returned to their parents, and guardians.
“The Command has condemned the act and frowned at such persons who take advantage of vulnerable individuals to make money and describe such places as a den where criminals take refuge. We urge the good people of Anambra to continue to provide the police with information about such places as the joint operations to weed such harbour has commenced. You are encouraged to call the Command Control Room number *07039194332* or PRO on *08039334002*. Be assured that all information passed through these channels shall be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The case has since been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department Awka SCID, for comprehensive investigation and shall be charged to court afterward.”
