Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has condemned the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of a child in Onitsha, following the arrest of a 36-year-old woman and the rescue of four children in connection with the case.

The Anambra State Police Command arrested Anulika Onyeanusia on Thursday after a video allegedly showing a woman sexually abusing a minor with sex toys circulated on social media.

Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said officers rescued four children, aged two, three, six and nine, during the operation. Sex toys and other items believed to be relevant to the investigation were also recovered.

Reacting to the incident on Friday, Soludo described the allegations as deeply disturbing and said children should be protected from all forms of abuse and exploitation.

“No child deserves to experience such trauma, and no society should ever become comfortable with the abuse of its most vulnerable,” she said.

Soludo, who founded the NGO Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, commended the police and others whose information and intervention led to the children’s rescue. She urged investigators to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.

She said the welfare of the rescued children should remain a priority beyond their immediate safety, noting that they may require medical, psychological and social support to recover from the alleged abuse.

“I will be following this case closely and will remain in touch with the relevant authorities to ensure that the children are properly protected and that full justice is served,” she said.

Soludo also urged parents, guardians, neighbours and community members to remain vigilant and report suspected threats to children’s safety, stressing that silence should not be an option when a child is at risk.

She reiterated the Anambra government’s opposition to violence, abuse and exploitation of women and children and pledged continued support for measures aimed at protecting vulnerable children.