Three underage children have been rescued from confinement, sex slavery in Rivers State
The children aged 12 and 13 years old and were rescued at Mile 3 Diobu last Thursday after they were seen at about 10pm roaming round street as a result of ill treatment and sex slavery encounter.
The Chief Security Officer, Godstime Ihunwo of Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Mile 3 Port Harcourt, who led the team that rescued the children, told our correspondent that while on patrol with his men he saw the three children with their luggage and upon interrogating them, they said they ran out of their home due to alleged ill treatment and ‘sex’ slavery they were experiencing
According him, he said “At about 10 pm on Thursday 27 January, I rescued three children aged 13, 12 female and 10 male at Equi Street who ran out of the house of a couple they were living with due to issue of child abuse and sex slavery.
‘The children informed me that they were taken from an orphanage home when they were babies by one Mrs Blessing Ibilaba who is now late and were later taken away by the Aunty’s brother to stay with him.
“The children alleged that they were subjected to all sorts of slavery, including torture by the present guardian and son.”
Mr Ihunwo disclosed that he quickly informed human rights groups and the police for immediate action to be taken.
Meanwhile, the Centre For Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign has narrated its role in the matter.
Gladys Onyenmwen, a member of the organization, told journalists that on getting the information, they took the children to Rumulomeni Police Division at Iwofe, where the guardian resides.
Onyenmwen said the organization has informed the ministry of social Welfare, Rivers State, She said “our major concern is the revelation made by the underage girls that the son to their present guardian, who is a Youth Corper, allegedly defiled them and has constantly raped them.
The said Youth Corper is said to be serving outside Rivers State.
“We are demanding that a thorough investigation should be carried out with a view to serving justice in the matter to all the parties in the matter”, she added.
As at press time, the children have been handed over to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare by the Centre for Basic Human Rights.
