ONITSHA — The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old woman, Anulika Onyeanusia, over an alleged case of child pornography in Onitsha, Anambra.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Awka.
Ikenga said the arrest followed open-source intelligence received by the command concerning a disturbing video trending online, which allegedly showed a woman using sex toys on a minor.
He said the operation, conducted on Thursday evening, also led to the rescue of four children aged two, three, six and nine years respectively.
According to him, sex toys and other items considered relevant to the ongoing investigation were recovered during the operation.
The PPRO said the suspect was currently in police custody as the command intensified its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and possible involvement of other persons.
He added that the husband of the suspect was also undergoing interrogation to determine whether he had any connection with the alleged offence.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Nnanna Oji Ama, expressed concern over the allegation, describing the alleged act as unacceptable, particularly because it involved the exploitation and abuse of children who were incapable of protecting themselves.
Ama directed the command to conduct a thorough and professional investigation into the matter.
He also directed that the rescued children be given appropriate care and protection while the investigation continued.
The command said its priority, beyond investigation and prosecution, was to safeguard the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the rescued children.
It said it would work with appropriate child-protection and relevant support agencies to ensure that the children received necessary care, protection, counselling and other support required for their recovery.
The command further assured that the identities and privacy of the children would be protected throughout the process and that they would be treated with compassion and sensitivity.
Ikenga said the command commended vigilante operatives, bloggers and residents who provided information that assisted the investigation and led to the arrest of the suspect.
He urged members of the public to continue to provide credible information to the police and other relevant authorities to help protect children from abuse and exploitation.
Background
The arrest comes amid growing concern over the sexual exploitation of children, including the use of digital platforms to circulate abusive material.
Nigeria’s legal framework criminalises the sexual exploitation of children and provides penalties for the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material.
The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act also provides legal measures against online offences involving children, while the Child Rights Act establishes protections for children’s welfare, dignity and development.
The National Human Rights Commission and other child-protection stakeholders have continued to call for stronger enforcement of laws protecting children from sexual abuse, exploitation, trafficking and other forms of violence.
The Anambra police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence, identify whether other persons were involved and determine the appropriate legal action.
