Anambra Govt arrests six persons for child exploitation, rescues 29 children

Anambra State Government has arrested six suspects for their involvement in child exploitation.

The Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Child Welfare arrested the suspects alongside 29 children who were rescued after they were caught hawking in Nnewi, Anambra State.

A press release by the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga stated that the suspects and the rescued children were handed over to the police for profiling, while the children will be reunited with their families.

Ikenga said: “The Anambra State Police Command today 29th June 2026 received thirty-six (36) persons, aged between 6 and 44 years, including six (6) suspects, from the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs for profiling as part of ongoing efforts to combat child labour, street hawking, human trafficking, and other forms of child exploitation in the state.

“The exercise is aimed at establishing their identities, determining the circumstances surrounding their involvement, and ensuring the possible reunification of the victims with their families and respective states of origin where necessary, in collaboration with relevant government agencies and child protection stakeholders.”

The command emphasised that 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 further 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.

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

He encouraged residents to report cases of child abuse, trafficking, exploitation, or neglect to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency channels.

The command listed the six suspects to include: Anyingo Glory, Nwafor Godwin, Chukwudi Ofoke, Chinenye Anyingo, Okwudili Ifeoma and Moses Anyingo. It said they were arrested in Nnewi over links to exploitation by the ministry, before being handed over to the Command to facilitate comprehensive profiling, identification, and investigations.

The Anambra State Police Command said it remains committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Women Affairs and other relevant stakeholders to protect the rights of children, ensure justice for victims, and strengthen measures against child exploitation across the State.