Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abia State Command, Umuahia on Tuesday, 12th Jan. 2021 arrested two (2) suspects for their alleged involvement in child trafficking, child labour, domestic violence and attempted murder against a minor who upon interrogation gave her name as Uduak Akpan Willy (F) (13years), the said Uduak Willy Akpan is a native of Ododo, Essien Udim L.G.A of Akwa Ibom State.

Parading the suspects before Newsmen at the Command Headquarters in Umuahia on Tuesday, 19th January 2021, the State Commandant – Mr. Vincent Ogu (JP) said they were arrested following a public outcry prompted by a viral information on social media about a house help – Uduak Apkan Willy (F) (13years) who was allegedly pushed down from the last floor of a two (2) storey building by her madam’s husband at house No. 204, Niger Stone, along Port harcourt Expressway, opposite new day fast-food, near Ariaria International Market, Aba , Abia State.

Speaking to Newsmen, Mr. Vincent said the suspects who gave their names as; Emeka Igwe (M) (31Years) A native of Olu LGA, in Imo State. Christiana Godwin (F) (50Years) A native of Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
Were being investigated for their alleged role in the ugly incident of Friday, 8th January, 2021.

According to Commandant Ogu,

“When I got the disturbing information on the ordeal of the little miss Uduak Akpan Willy (the rescued victim) from Mrs Chinememma Umesaka – the Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Teenage Matters, I quickly mobilized my men and ordered them to rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrators of this dastardly and inhuman act against this minor. I am happy for the swift response of my men to the order which has led to the successful rescue and arrest of the victim and suspects respectively. The NSCDC Aba South Divisional Officer- Superintendent Uche Uduma proved he is really on ground as he tactically coordinated the search and rescue team dispatched from the Command Headquarters leading to this huge success thereby bringing the suspects to face justice”.

Speaking further the State Commandant said,

“Every child deserves love, care and protection and none should be exposed to treatments that can best be described as less human as being experienced by the rescued victim. The Corps through her Anti-human Trafficking, Irregular Migration and Gender Violence Unit is fully committed in her mandate of winning the war against all forms of child Trafficking/Child abuse, illegal adoption, child Labor and molestation. We implore all well meaning Nigerians to join hands in this all important fight for the protection of Nigerian child. On our part, we shall continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to win this fight”.

Narrating her ordeal in the hands of her abductors, little Udauk said she was brought to Aba as a house help in November, 2020 by a man popularly known as Mbakara and handed her over to her Mistress – Aniekan Emeka (Mrs) who she said has been a nightmare to her life. On Friday, 8th January, 2021 Mrs Anieka accused her of stealing her money in the sum of Five hundred naira only (N500) which Uduak she said she didn’t do. According to the victim, her Mistress started beating her and the husband – Emeka Igwe upon return to the house equally descended on her with his belt. Out of fear and frustration and in a bit to escape further wrath of the man she jumped out through the balcony of the second floor of the two (2) storey building where they reside. At this point, the suspect Emeka sensing the girl may have died fled and relocated outside Abia State to evade justice.

Explaining how the suspect was arrested, Commandant Ogu said,

“The Command expanded her intelligence network beyond Abia State and through her eagle eyed intelligence Operatives who acting on a credible information on his hideouts, the suspect was successfully arrested to face justice. I want to assure the general public that the suspect upon conclusion of investigations will be handed over to the appropriate agency for diligent prosecution”.

On the health of the rescued girl, Mr. Ogu said,

“As a responsive and responsible agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are aware that justice is only meaningful to the living hence acting on the advice of the medical Unit of the Command, I quickly arranged for a full medical examination on the child at the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia where she has successfully undergone Chest Digital X-RAY, Abdomen Ultra Sound and C.T. Scan for her head”.

Meanwhile, preliminary investigations revealed among others:

(1) The controversies surrounding the process that brought her from Akwa Ibom State to Aba in Abia State for child labour suggesting she may have been a victim of child trafficking.
(2) The victim has been undergoing serious child abuse and domestic violence while living with her Mistress.
(3) The victim was subjected to hard labour thereby depriving her of her right to formal education.
(4) -The victim’s mother has been traced to Edo State.

In his advice, The Abia State Commandant called on parents to take appropriate measures towards raising their children according to him where there are challenges leading to inability to train up wards, parents have obligation towards ensuring that their wards are safe in the hands of those they have been given out to.

He equally adviced those who are privileged to have other parents’ children as house helps to see them as their own children and extend same love, care and protection to them. This is necessary because according to the golden rule “we should do unto others as we would want others to do unto us”.