Anambra State's First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has condemned the alleged sexual abuse of a child by the minor's supposed mother in Onitsha, saying she was "deeply shaken" by the case, which also led to the rescue of four other children.
The Anambra State Police Command had on Thursday arrested a 36-year-old woman, Anulika Onyeanusia, over the alleged abuse, after a disturbing video began circulating online showing a woman allegedly using sex toys on a minor.
According to a statement issued by the command's spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, police rescued four children aged two, three, six and nine during the arrest and recovered sex toys and other items said to be relevant to the investigation.
Reacting on Friday, Soludo said no child deserved to go through such trauma. "I am deeply shaken and profoundly disturbed by the disturbing report of the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of a child by her supposed mother in Onitsha, and the rescue of four children in connection with the ongoing investigation," she said.
"There are some things that are simply beyond comprehension, and the alleged abuse of innocent children is one of them. Children are meant to be protected, loved and given the safety to grow, not subjected to any form of sexual exploitation or abuse. 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 also runs the non-governmental organisation Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, commended the police command and all those whose information led to the children's rescue and called for a thorough investigation.
"I urge the police to conduct a thorough, transparent and professional investigation into this matter, leaving no stone unturned in establishing the full facts, identifying anyone else who may have been involved, and ensuring that where wrongdoing is established, the law takes its full course," she said.
She said her concern extended beyond the immediate rescue to the children's long-term welfare. "My heart is particularly with the four rescued children. Beyond the immediate rescue, we must be concerned about what happens to them afterwards. The physical safety of a child is only the beginning; we must also heal the emotional and psychological wounds that may have been inflicted."
Soludo added that she would continue to follow the case and work with relevant agencies to provide support for the children. "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. I will also be engaging with the appropriate government agencies to see how we can provide the necessary medical, psychological, social and rehabilitation support to help these children begin the difficult journey towards healing and recovery," she said.
She urged parents, guardians and community members to remain vigilant and speak up over any threat to a child's safety, adding: "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."
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