Police arrest woman over alleged child pornography

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Police

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By Evelyn Usman

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AWKA: The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old woman, Anulika Onyeanusia, over an alleged child pornography case in Onitsha and rescued four children in connection with the investigation.

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The arrest followed a video circulating online which allegedly showed a woman using sex toys on a minor.

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The Command said its operatives acted on information obtained through open-source intelligence and traced the suspect.

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During an operation conducted on Thursday evening, police said four children, aged two, three, six and nine, respectively, were rescued.

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Sex toys and other items believed to be relevant to the investigation were also recovered, according to the Command.

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The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the arrest and rescue of the children, said the suspect remained in police custody as investigation continued.

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“The suspect is currently in police custody as the Command intensifies its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and the possible involvement of other persons,” Ikenga said.

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He added that the suspect’s husband was also being interrogated to determine whether he had any connection with the alleged offence.

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According to Ikenga, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji, was concerned by the allegations and had directed a thorough investigation.

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The Commissioner, he said, described the alleged act as unacceptable, particularly because it involved the alleged exploitation and abuse of children.

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Ikenga said the Command’s priority extended beyond investigation and prosecution to ensuring the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the rescued children.

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He said the police would work with relevant child-protection and support agencies to ensure that the children received appropriate care, protection, counselling and other support.

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“Their identities and privacy will be protected throughout the process, and they will be treated with compassion and sensitivity,” he said.

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The Command also commended vigilante operatives in the area, bloggers and residents whose information, according to the police, assisted the investigation and led to the arrest of the suspect.

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Police said investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and possible involvement of other persons was ongoing.

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