Soludo’s wife condemns sexual abuse of child by mother

The Anambra First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has condemned the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of a child by her supposed mother in Onitsha, the commercial city of the state.

Soludo also expressed concern over the rescue of four children in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged sexual abuse.

Recall that the Anambra State Police Command had on Thursday arrested a 36-year-old woman, Anulika Onyeanusia, in connection with an alleged case of child abuse in Onitsha.

The suspect was arrested following the circulation of a disturbing video showing a woman allegedly using sex toys on a minor.

According to a statement released by the spokesperson for the state Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Thursday, the police also rescued four children, aged two, three, six and nine, respectively, during the arrest and recovered sex toys and other items relevant to the ongoing investigation.

However, reacting to the development in a statement released on Friday, Soludo said no child deserved to experience such trauma and that no society should ever become comfortable with the abuse of its most vulnerable.

The governor’s wife, who is also the founder of the non-governmental organisation, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, said Anambra, under the Solution Administration, stood firmly against every form of violence, abuse and exploitation of women and children, adding that the state would protect them with everything it had.

The statement read, “I am deeply shaken and profoundly disturbed by the disturbing report of the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of a child by her supposed mother in Onitsha, and the rescue of four children in connection with the ongoing investigation.

“There are some things that are simply beyond comprehension, and the alleged abuse of innocent children is one of them. Children are meant to be protected, loved and given the safety to grow, not subjected to any form of sexual exploitation or abuse.

“No child deserves to experience such trauma, and no society should ever become comfortable with the abuse of its most vulnerable.”

She commended the Anambra State Police Command and everyone whose information and intervention led to the rescue of the children.

“I urge the police to conduct a thorough, transparent and professional investigation into this matter, leaving no stone unturned in establishing the full facts, identifying anyone else who may have been involved, and ensuring that where wrongdoing is established, the law takes its full course.

“My heart is particularly with the four rescued children. Beyond the immediate rescue, we must be concerned about what happens to them afterwards.

“The physical safety of a child is only the beginning; we must also heal the emotional and psychological wounds that may have been inflicted.

“I will be following this case closely and will remain in touch with the relevant authorities to ensure that the children are properly protected and that full justice is served.

“I will also be engaging with the appropriate government agencies to see how we can provide the necessary medical, psychological, social and rehabilitation support to help these children begin the difficult journey towards healing and recovery,” she added.

She also appealed to everyone, especially parents, guardians, neighbours and members of the communities, to remain vigilant and speak up whenever they notice anything that threatens the safety or dignity of a child, saying silence could never be an option when the safety of a child was at stake.

“Anambra, under the Solution Administration, stands firmly against every form of violence, abuse and exploitation of our women and children. We will protect them with everything we have,” the statement concluded.