By Adadainfo
Nine girls aged between 15 and 23 deployed as sex slaves at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, have been rescued.
The state police command announced the rescue in a release by the command’s public relations officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Monday.
According to him, “Following the information received from Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare on 18/6/2023 by 6:00 pm, police operatives stormed a hotel in Awka and rescued nine girls within the age brackets of 15-23years used for sex slaves.” He added that the owner of the hotel has been arrested.
He stated further that, “Confessions of the rescued girls reveal that the respective persons that brought them to the brothel lured them on the assurances of giving them jobs to alleviate poverty/needs of their parents and dependents.
“They further confessed to being taken from Ebonyi, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom, and Rivers states. Also, the police command is in collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare to make sure the girls are taken care of and safely returned to their parents/guardians.
“The command has condemned the act and frowned at such persons who take advantage of vulnerable individuals to make money and describes such places as a den where criminals take refuge.
“We urge the good people of Anambra to continue to provide the police with information about such places. You are encouraged to call the Command Control Room number 07039194332 or PRO on 08039334002.”
Our correspondent gathered that the case had since been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for comprehensive investigation after which culprits would be charged to court.
