Men of the Anambra state police Command have rescued 12 females including three underaged girls used as sex workers in a brothel in Awka, Anambra State.
The victims, within the age 15 -23years were rescued during a raid of Happiness Guest Inn in Amawbia, on Monday, June 19, 2023, after a tip off from a whistleblower.
A statement from the spokesperson of the state police command, revealed that the ladies were lured from Ebonyi, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom, and Rivers States on the assurances of being offered jobs to assist their parents and dependents financially.
Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Proprietor of the brothel has been arrested. He said the case has been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department Awka for investigation.
“Following the information received from Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare yesterday 18/6/2023 by 6:00 pm, Police Operatives stormed a hotel in Awka and rescued 9 girls within the age bracket of 15-23years, used for sex slaves and arrested the proprietor of the hotel.
“Meanwhile, further interrogations/confessions of the rescued girls, reveal that the respective persons that brought them to the brothel lured/entice 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/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.”
Confirming the development on Tuesday in Awka, the State Commissioner of Women and Social Commissioner, Hon Ify Obinabo, said the underaged girls have been taken to a hospital for medical examination and possible treatment.
A statement by the media aide to the commissioner, Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, said Hon. Obinabo restated the state governments resolve in ending all forms of child kidnap, trafficking and Sexual slavery in the state.
“Hon Obinabo while recounting how she was able to apprehend the suspect alongside the police, warned hotel owners to desist from using underage girls in running their businesses or face the law and went ahead to assure that the case which has already received Mr. Governor’s attention will not be treated with levity,” the statement read.
