The Anambra State Police Command has arrested six suspects over alleged child trafficking, child labour, street hawking and other forms of child exploitation following a security operation in Nnewi.
According to Punch, the suspects were apprehended after operatives from the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare raided a suspected child trafficking network before handing the case over to the police for investigation.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said on Monday that the command received 35 people from the ministry, including 29 rescued children and young persons aged between six and 44 years, alongside six suspects.
The suspects were identified as Anyingo Glory, Nwafor Godwin, Chukwudi Ofoke, Chinenye Anyingo, Okwudili Ifeoma and Moses Anyingo.
Ikenga said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to combat child labour, street hawking, human trafficking and other forms of child exploitation across the state.
He explained that investigators would profile those involved, establish their identities, determine the circumstances surrounding the case and work towards reuniting rescued victims with their families and states of origin where necessary in collaboration with relevant government agencies and child protection stakeholders.
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.
Orutugu 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.
The police also urged parents, guardians and members of the public to avoid engaging children in hazardous labour or exposing them to the dangers of street hawking. Residents were encouraged to report cases of child abuse, trafficking, exploitation or neglect to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency channels.
