A 36-year-old woman, Anulika Onyeanusia, has been arrested by the Anambra State Police Command over the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of her eight-year-old daughter in Onitsha.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that she uploaded a video involving the child to a pornographic platform and earned as much as $300 from the material.
Police said Onyeanusia was arrested after a video showing the alleged abuse went viral online. According to preliminary investigations, the eight-year-old girl is the suspect’s second child, while her first daughter may also have been subjected to similar abuse and had material allegedly uploaded online.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly attributed her actions to the devil and appealed for forgiveness. She also allegedly told investigators that her husband was unaware of what she had been doing to their daughters.
The police said operatives traced and arrested the suspect after obtaining information from open-source intelligence linked to the viral video.
Four children, aged two, three, six and nine, were rescued during the operation, which was conducted on Thursday evening. Police also said sex toys and other items considered relevant to the investigation were recovered.
The command said the investigation is continuing to determine the full circumstances of the alleged abuse and whether other people were involved.
The police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest and rescue of the children in a statement.
He said the suspect remained in police custody while investigators examined the alleged offence and the possible involvement of other persons. He added that the woman’s husband was also being questioned to determine whether he had any connection to the case.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji, described the alleged abuse as unacceptable and directed that the case be investigated thoroughly.
According to Ikenga, the command’s priority is the safety and wellbeing of the rescued children. He said the police would work with child-protection agencies and other relevant organisations to provide the children with care, counselling and other necessary support.
He added that the identities and privacy of the children would be protected throughout the investigation.
The police also commended vigilante operatives, bloggers and residents whose information assisted the investigation and led to the suspect’s arrest.
The investigation is ongoing.
