By Praise Chinecherem
Nine girls allegedly engaged as commercial sex workers were on Monday rescued by police operatives in a brothel in Awka, Anambra State.
The victims, aged between 15 and 23years were rescued during a raid of the facility by police following a tip off.
They were said to have been lured from Ebonyi, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom, and Rivers States on the assurances of being offered jobs to assist their parents and dependents financially.
Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said the proprietor of the brothel has been arrested.
He said the case has been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department Awka for investigation.
He said, “Following the information received from Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, Police Operatives stormed a hotel in Awka and rescued 9 girls within the age bracket of 15-23years, used for sex slaves and arrested the proprietor of the hotel.
“Meanwhile, further interrogations/confessions of the rescued girls, reveal that the respective persons that brought them to the brothel lured/entice 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 describe 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 as the joint operations to weed such harbour has commenced.
“You are encouraged to call the Command Control Room number 07039194332 or PRO on 08039334002. Be assured that all information passed through these channels shall be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
“The case has since been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department Awka SCID, for comprehensive investigation and shall be charged to court afterward.”
