Police rescue pregnant 15-year-old “sex slave” in Anambra, arrest suspect

Anambra State Police Command has rescued a 15-year-old girl who was pregnant after being subjected to repeated sexploitation by multiple adult males.

The arrest followed a coordinated raid targeting suspected users of crystal methamphetamine, known as Mkpuru Mmiri, in Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area.

State Police Public Relations Officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the operation was carried out on the evening of June 17, 2026 by operatives of the Achalla Divisional Police Headquarters. The raid was based on intelligence gathered over time about youths abusing crystal meth around St. Paul’s Secondary School, Achalla.

—Victim found in compromising situation—

Ikenga said officers rescued the underage girl, who was discovered to be heavily pregnant, and arrested one Tochukwu Nwora over allegations bordering on defilement and child exploitation.

“At the height of the operation, the police team reportedly observed a middle-aged man in a compromising situation with the minor, prompting the operatives to immediately intervene and take the victim into protective custody,” he stated.

Preliminary investigations revealed the teenager had allegedly been repeatedly defiled by several adult males at different times across Nando, Nteje and Achalla. Investigators believe the suspects exploited her vulnerable condition by giving her small amounts of money to manipulate and repeatedly subject her to abuse.

The victim was taken immediately to the Police Hospital in Awka, where medical examinations and other procedures commenced to ensure her welfare and aid the investigation.

–CP orders wider probe–

Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation. He ordered investigators to widen the scope to establish whether the victim’s parent or guardian was negligent or culpable in circumstances that exposed the minor to prolonged exploitation.

“The CP specifically directed that every individual found to have participated in the alleged defilement and exploitation of the girl should be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Ikenga said.

The suspect in custody is assisting investigators with information that could lead to the arrest of others connected to the crime.

The command condemned the incident and reiterated its stance against child abuse and sexual exploitation. It urged residents to report suspicious activities involving children, saying community partnership is vital to combating crime.

Police also linked the case to rising concerns over crystal meth abuse, which security experts have connected to violent crimes and sexual offences in communities. Investigations are ongoing and the command assured the public of diligent prosecution of everyone found culpable.