Odita Sunday 
Anambra police receive rescued children, suspects over alleged child labour, street hawking
By Odita Sunday
The Anambra State Police Command has taken custody of dozens of rescued children, young persons and suspects from the state Ministry of Women Affairs as part of ongoing efforts to combat child labour, street hawking, human trafficking and other forms of child exploitation.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the individuals were handed over to the command for profiling, identification and investigation to facilitate possible reunification of the victims with their families.
The police spokesman said the rescued persons, aged between six and 44 years, were received from the Ministry of Women Affairs following an operation in Nnewi.
Ikenga said six suspects — Anyingo Glory, Nwafor Godwin, Chukwudi Ofoke, Chinenye Anyingo, Okwudili Ifeoma and Moses Anyingo — were arrested in connection with the alleged exploitation of the victims.
According to him, the profiling exercise is aimed at establishing the identities of the victims and suspects, determining the circumstances surrounding the alleged exploitation and facilitating the possible reunification of the victims with their families and states of origin where necessary.
He said the exercise is being carried out in collaboration with relevant government agencies and child protection stakeholders.
According to Ikenga, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from abuse and exploitation.
Orutugu said, “The Command remains committed to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from all forms of abuse and exploitation.”
He warned that child labour and street hawking expose children to trafficking, abuse, neglect and other criminal activities.
The police commissioner added, “Child labour and street hawking expose children to serious risks, including trafficking, abuse, neglect, and other criminal activities,” assuring that “anyone found culpable will be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
The command 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.
It also appealed to residents to report cases of child abuse, trafficking, exploitation or neglect to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency channels.
Ikenga added that the command would continue collaborating with the Ministry of Women Affairs and other stakeholders to protect children’s rights, ensure justice for victims and strengthen measures against child exploitation across the state.
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