Operatives of Imo State Police Command have arrested a couple for allegedly chaining, detaining and locking three children illegally in an uncompleted building in World Bank, Owerri.
The suspects are the stepmother of the children, Victoria Nwosu, 26, and her husband/father of the children, Chimezie Nwosu, 30.
The children who looked malnourished and in pitiable condition at the time they were freed are Kelechi Nwosu, 7, Destiny Nwosu, 11 and Chinemerie Nwosu, 9.
The Command’s spokesperson, Michael Abattam, in a statement, yesterday, said the victims have been freed, while the arrested suspects were undergoing interrogation.
He said: “Sequel to a report on child slavery/abuse received on June 17, 2022, at about 1400 hours, by the police from a Good Samaritan residing at World Bank Owerri, Imo State, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of New Owerri Divisional Police Headquarters Owerri, swiftly mobilised a team of policemen, including the officer in charge of Juvenile Welfare Center (JWC ) to the scene.
“On arrival, police operatives went into the identified house where they found a malnourished child, later identified as Kelechi Nwosu, 7, in an uncompleted security post, his two legs chained and locked with two padlocks.
“The child was immediately rescued alongside two other children, Destiny Nwosu, 11 and Chinemerie Nwosu, 9, all looking unkempt and malnourished.”
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the child was chained by his stepmother, Mrs. Victoria Nwosu ‘f ‘, 26. The father of the three children, Mr. Chimezie Nwosu, ‘m’, 30, seeing his wife maltreating the child never showed concern or cautioned his wife. It was also discovered that the three rescued children were left by Mr. Victor Nwosu’s estranged wife.
“On rescuing the children the police operatives immediately took them to a nearby government hospital where they were treated and discharged. However, they were later handed over to a government-recognised Orphanage Home where they will be well taken care of when their mother is located.
“Meanwhile, the two suspects are presently in police custody undergoing interrogation and they will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”
