Anambra Police Profile 36 Persons in Crackdown on Child Labour, Trafficking
By Chizoba Njaka
The Anambra State Police Command, on June 29, received 36 persons from the 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.
The group comprises 29 rescued children and young persons, aged between six and 44 years, as well as six suspects identified as Anyingo Glory, Nwafor Godwin, Chukwudi Ofoke, Chinenye Anyingo, Okwudili Ifeoma, and Moses Anyingo. The suspects were arrested in Nnewi and are alleged to be connected to the exploitation of the victims.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the transfer will enable the command to carry out comprehensive profiling, establish the identities of those involved, determine the circumstances surrounding each case, and facilitate the possible reunification of victims with their families or states of origin in collaboration with relevant agencies and child protection stakeholders.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reaffirmed the command's commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from abuse and exploitation.
He warned that child labour and street hawking expose children to trafficking, abuse, neglect, and other criminal risks, stressing that anyone found culpable would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The command urged parents, guardians, and members of the public to refrain from engaging children in hazardous labour or exposing them to the dangers of street hawking.
It also encouraged residents to report suspected cases of child abuse, trafficking, exploitation, or neglect to the nearest police station or through the command's emergency channels.
The command further pledged to sustain its collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and other relevant stakeholders to safeguard children's rights, ensure justice for victims, and strengthen measures against child exploitation across the state.