The Anambra State Police Command has arraigned six suspects before the Gender-Based Violence Court sitting in Awka over separate allegations involving child defilement, sexual assault, physical abuse and unlawful procurement of abortion involving minors.
The suspects were arraigned following investigations into their respective cases, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
Among those arraigned was Chinedu Chiekwu of Umuoli Village, who is facing an allegation of defiling an 11-year-old child on September 6, 2026.
Another suspect, identified as Sunday Anele, was arraigned over an allegation of engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl, which the police said allegedly resulted in pregnancy.
The police also said Ugochukwu Okereke was arraigned over an allegation that he lured a 13-year-old girl to a nearby bush and sexually assaulted her.
Similarly, Ebuka Nwachukwu was arraigned over an allegation that he lured a six-year-old child into his room at Okpoko and sexually abused her.
The fifth suspect, Ogechi Ofoma, a woman from Awada, Obosi, was arraigned over an allegation of using a heated kitchen knife to inflict multiple injuries on her five-year-old daughter, identified by the police as Oluebube Ofoma.
The sixth suspect, Obianuju Okafor, was arraigned over an allegation relating to the unlawful procurement of an abortion for her 15-year-old daughter.
The police said the cases were brought before the specialised Gender-Based Violence Court as part of ongoing efforts to prosecute offences involving sexual and gender-based violence and protect vulnerable persons.
The command also provided an update on a separate case involving a 36-year-old woman who was allegedly seen in a widely circulated video engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct involving her child.
According to the police, investigators have completed their investigation into that case and forwarded the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for necessary legal action.
The woman remains in police custody pending further proceedings, the command said.
The case followed the September 10 arrest of a 36-year-old woman, Anulika Onyeanusia, in Onitsha after police received information about a disturbing video allegedly involving the sexual abuse of a minor. During the operation, officers also rescued four children and recovered items relevant to the investigation.
The police said the identities and privacy of child victims would be protected throughout the investigation and legal process.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from sexual abuse, exploitation, violence and related offences.
He also assured the public that victims and survivors would be treated with dignity, sensitivity and appropriate protection throughout the investigative and judicial process.
The arraignments come amid renewed attention to child protection and gender-based violence in Anambra, with the police saying they would continue to investigate reported cases and bring suspects before the courts where evidence supports prosecution.
The allegations against the six suspects have yet to be determined by the court, and their arraignment does not amount to a finding of guilt.
