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.
Soludo also expressed concern over the rescue of four children in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged abuse.
The Anambra State Police Command had on Thursday arrested 36-year-old Anulika Onyeanusia in connection with the alleged child abuse case.
The arrest followed the circulation of a disturbing video purportedly showing a woman using sex toys on a minor.
According to the state police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, officers also rescued four children, aged two, three, six and nine, during the operation. Sex toys and other items believed to be relevant to the investigation were also recovered.
Reacting to the development in a statement on Friday, Soludo said no child deserved to experience such trauma and stressed that society must not become comfortable with the abuse of vulnerable children.
“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,” she said.
“No child deserves to experience such trauma, and no society should ever become comfortable with the abuse of its most vulnerable.”
The First Lady, who founded the non-governmental organisation Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, commended the police and everyone whose information and intervention contributed to the rescue of the children.
She urged the police to conduct a thorough and professional investigation to establish the full circumstances of the case and identify anyone else who may have been involved.
“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.
Soludo said her immediate concern was the wellbeing of the four rescued children, stressing that their protection must extend beyond their physical safety.
“The physical safety of a child is only the beginning; we must also heal the emotional and psychological wounds that may have been inflicted,” she said.
She added that she would continue to follow the case and engage relevant authorities to ensure the children were adequately protected and justice was served.
Soludo also said she would work with appropriate government agencies to explore medical, psychological, social and rehabilitation support for the children as they begin the process of recovery.
She urged parents, guardians, neighbours and community members to remain vigilant and report anything that could threaten the safety or dignity of a child.
“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 said.
