In a courageous operation carried out by the Anambra State Police Command, a total of nine young girls aged between 15 and 23 were rescued from a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, where they were being held as victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The proprietor of the hotel was apprehended during the operation, which took place on the evening of June 18th, 2023.
The successful operation was made possible with the assistance of the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, which provided crucial information leading to the rescue mission. During subsequent interrogations, the rescued girls revealed that they had been deceived with false promises of job opportunities that would alleviate poverty for themselves and their families. They disclosed that they had been taken from different states, including Ebonyi, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom, and Rivers.
The Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, is taking comprehensive measures to ensure the well-being of the rescued girls. Every effort is being made to safely reunite them with their parents or guardians. The Command strongly condemns this heinous act and expresses its disapproval of those who exploit vulnerable individuals for personal gain. The authorities are treating the hotel as a criminal den, and joint operations have commenced to eradicate such establishments.
The police urge the people of Anambra State to report any similar establishments or suspicious activities to the Command Control Room at 07039194332 or contact the Public Relations Officer (PRO) at 08039334002. The police guarantee the utmost confidentiality for all information provided through these channels.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka for a thorough investigation. Once the investigation is complete, the suspects involved will be charged and brought to court.
On June 19th, 2023, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Anambra State Police Command, issued this statement, emphasizing the police force’s commitment to combating such criminal activities and seeking the cooperation of the public in bringing the perpetrators to justice.