Child Labour, Street Hawking: Anambra Police Receive, Begin Profiling of 36 Persons, 6 Suspects

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

The Anambra State Police Command said it had taken custody of 36 persons, including 29 rescued children and young persons as well as six suspects, as part of ongoing efforts to tackle child labour, street hawking, human trafficking and other forms of child exploitation in the state.

This was revealed in a statement issued over the week by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in which he disclosed that the victims and suspects were handed over to the Command by the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs for profiling and further investigation.

According to the statement, the received persons comprise individuals aged between 6 and 44 years, adding that the rescued children and young persons were allegedly being exploited; while the other six suspects are being investigated over their alleged involvement in the illegal activities.

While identifying the six suspects as Anyingo Glory, Nwafor Godwin, Chukwudi Ofoke, Chinenye Anyingo, Okwudili Ifeoma and Moses Anyingo; the police Spokesman said they were arrested in Nnewi before being transferred to the Police for comprehensive profiling and investigation.

According to him, the exercise is aimed at establishing the identities of the rescued persons, determining the circumstances surrounding their involvement and facilitating the possible reunification of the victims with their families and states of origin where necessary, in collaboration with relevant government agencies and child protection organisations.

He added that investigations would also focus on unravelling any trafficking or exploitation networks connected with the victims and ensuring that anyone found culpable faces the law.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from abuse, exploitation and trafficking.

The Police Commissioner warned that child labour and street hawking expose children to dangers such as human trafficking, abuse, neglect and other criminal activities, assuring that all those found responsible would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

CP Orutugu also appealed to parents, guardians and members of the public to refrain from exposing children to hazardous labour or sending them out to hawk on the streets, while urging residents to promptly report cases of child abuse, exploitation, trafficking or neglect to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency channels.

SP Ikenga reaffirmed that the Command would continue working closely with the Ministry of Women Affairs and other relevant stakeholders to safeguard children’s rights, secure justice for victims and strengthen the fight against child exploitation across Anambra State.

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