The Anambra state Police Command, acting on an information provided by the State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare on Sunday, at 6:00 pm, rescued nine girls, aged between 15 and 23 from a hotel in Awka.
The spokesperson of the Command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, in a statement, said the girls were used as sex slaves.
The operatives also arrested the proprietor of the hotel.
“Confessions by the rescued girls reveal that the respective persons that brought them to the brothel lured them with 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,” the statement reads.
The Command said it would collaborate with the Ministry to take care of the girls and return them to their parents/guardians.
The Police 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 statement further reads.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department Awka SCID, for comprehensive investigation and shall be charged to court afterward.
