By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old woman, Anulika Onyeanusia, over an alleged case of child pornography in Onitsha, following the circulation of a viral pornographic video involving a minor.
The arrest was made on Thursday evening after the Command acted on information gathered through open-source intelligence regarding the video, which allegedly showed the suspect using sex toys on a child.
Confirming the arrest in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the operation also resulted in the rescue of four children, aged two, three, six and nine years respectively.
According to him, Police operatives also recovered sex toys and other items considered relevant to the investigation from the suspect’s vicinity.
Ikenga said the suspect had been taken into police custody while investigators were working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse and determine whether other persons were involved.
He added that the suspect’s husband was also being questioned by the police as part of efforts to establish whether he had any connection with the alleged offence.
The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, was deeply disturbed by the allegation and had ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.
According to him, the Commissioner stressed the need to protect the rescued children, particularly given their ages and vulnerability, while directing that the investigation be handled professionally.
The PPRO said the police were also working with relevant child-protection and support agencies to ensure that the children received appropriate care, counselling and other assistance needed following the incident.
He assured that the Command would protect the identities and privacy of the children throughout the process and ensure that they were treated with care and sensitivity.
The Police Spokesman also commended vigilante operatives in the area, bloggers and residents whose information, he said, assisted the police in tracing and arresting the suspect.
The investigation, according to the police, is ongoing as detectives work to establish the full facts of the case and determine the appropriate legal action.
