ONITSHA, Anambra State — The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old woman, identified as Anulika Onyeanusia, over the alleged sexual exploitation of her children and the uploading of abusive material involving them on a pornographic platform.
The suspect was arrested in Onitsha following the circulation of a disturbing video online, which prompted police operatives to launch an investigation using open-source intelligence.
According to preliminary findings by the police, Onyeanusia allegedly admitted during interrogation that she uploaded a video involving her eight-year-old daughter to an online platform in an attempt to make money.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that the highest amount she had received from uploading such material was $300.
Police investigations also allegedly revealed that the eight-year-old girl was not the only child subjected to the alleged abuse, as the suspect was reportedly found to have subjected her first daughter to similar acts and uploaded the material online.
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During questioning, the suspect reportedly attributed her actions to the devil and pleaded for forgiveness.
“It is the devil, please forgive me,” she reportedly told investigators.
The woman also allegedly claimed that her husband was unaware of her activities involving their children. However, the police said the husband is currently being interrogated as investigators work to determine whether he had any knowledge of, or connection to, the alleged offences.
The arrest followed the emergence of a video online in which an adult woman was allegedly seen sexually abusing a child. The footage reportedly showed the child crying and pleading for the alleged abuse to stop.
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Following the circulation of the material, police operatives traced the suspect and carried out an operation on Thursday evening.
The command said four children, aged two, three, six and nine, were rescued during the operation.
Police officers also recovered sex-related items and other materials considered potentially relevant to the investigation.
Confirming the arrest and rescue operation, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect remains in custody while investigators intensify efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged offences.
According to Ikenga, investigators are also working to determine whether other individuals were involved.
He said the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji, was deeply disturbed by the allegations and described the exploitation and abuse of children as unacceptable.
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The Commissioner subsequently directed that the case be thoroughly and professionally investigated, while prioritizing the safety and welfare of the rescued children.
The police said the children would receive appropriate care, protection, counselling and other necessary support through collaboration with relevant child-protection and support agencies.
The command further assured the public that the identities and privacy of the children would be protected throughout the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
The police also commended vigilante operatives, bloggers and residents who provided information that assisted officers in tracing the suspect.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the police are expected to determine whether additional suspects or other offences are connected to the case.
Authorities have continued to urge members of the public to report suspected cases of child abuse and exploitation to law-enforcement and child-protection agencies rather than sharing abusive material involving minors online.
