Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has condemned the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of a child by her supposed mother in Onitsha, describing the development as deeply disturbing and unacceptable.
Soludo also called for justice and comprehensive medical, psychological and social support for the four children rescued by the police in connection with the investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command had on Thursday arrested a 36-year-old woman, Anulika Onyeanusia, following the circulation of a disturbing video allegedly showing her sexually abusing a minor.
According to the police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, operatives also rescued four children aged two, three, six and nine during the operation and recovered sex toys and other items relevant to the investigation.
Reacting to the incident in a statement on Friday, Soludo said children should be protected, loved and allowed to grow in safety, rather than subjected to abuse or exploitation.
She said, “No child deserves to experience such trauma, and no society should ever become comfortable with the abuse of its most vulnerable.”
The governor’s wife, who is the founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, commended the police and members of the public whose information and intervention contributed to the rescue of the children.
She urged the police to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, identify anyone else who may have been involved and ensure that anyone found culpable faced the full weight of the law.
Soludo said her major concern was the welfare of the rescued children, stressing that rescuing them from immediate danger was only the beginning.
“My heart is particularly with the four rescued children. Beyond the immediate rescue, we must also be concerned about what happens to them afterwards,” she said.
According to her, the children may require medical attention, psychological care, social support and rehabilitation to help them recover from the alleged abuse.
She pledged to work with relevant authorities and government agencies to ensure that the children received the necessary support and protection.
“I will be following this case closely and will remain in touch with the relevant authorities to ensure that the children are properly protected and that full justice is served,” she said.
Soludo also appealed to parents, guardians, neighbours and community members to remain vigilant and report anything that could threaten the safety or dignity of children.
She stressed that silence should never be an option when the welfare of a child was at stake.
“Anambra, under the Solution Administration, stands firmly against every form of violence, abuse and exploitation of our women and children. We will protect them with everything we have,” she added.
The police investigation into the alleged abuse is ongoing.
