By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has condemned two separate cases of alleged child abuse involving a 9-year-old girl allegedly used to produce pornographic content and a 7-year-old girl allegedly tortured with a hot knife, demanding thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

In a press release dated September 16, 2026, and signed by Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, Chairman; Comrade Chidi Mbah, Secretary; and Comrade Hyginus Udensi, Treasurer, the group described the incidents as grave violations of children’s rights and dignity. CLO said the cases required urgent action from the Anambra State Government and security agencies.

The first case involves Mrs. Anulika Onyeanusia, whom CLO accused of using her 9-year-old biological daughter to produce explicit content allegedly intended for commercial purposes and distribution on social media. Police had earlier confirmed Onyeanusia’s arrest in Onitsha following intelligence concerning a disturbing video allegedly involving a minor, with four children rescued during the operation.

The group described the alleged conduct as “child sexual exploitation, human depravity at its peak, and a crime against humanity,” insisting that the protection of children must take precedence over any other consideration.

The second case concerns 7-year-old Oluebube Ofoma, whose mother, Mrs. Ogechi Ofoma, was arrested after the child was allegedly subjected to severe physical abuse, including injuries reportedly inflicted with a hot knife at Ibollo Community, Awada-Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area. Police confirmed the arrest and said community security personnel and residents intervened to rescue the child.

CLO said it was particularly disturbed that “in both cases, the perpetrators are biological mothers who are constitutionally, morally and naturally mandated to protect, nurture, love and provide for their children.”

The organisation also commended residents and other concerned persons who reported the alleged abuse, as well as the Anambra State Police Command for its response.

It specifically praised Commissioner of Police CP Nnanah Ama and his officers, saying their intervention had resulted in the rescue of the affected children and the arrest of suspects. Police records also show that the command has been working with the state social welfare authorities to provide medical care, protection and other support for the 7-year-old victim.

CLO therefore called on Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Children Affairs to ensure “a thorough, transparent and diligent investigation and prosecution” of the suspects and anyone else found to have participated in the alleged offences.

The group further demanded that the affected children be taken into government custody and provided with medical treatment, psychosocial counselling, trauma rehabilitation, shelter and education.

It also urged the government to strengthen child-protection and community surveillance systems to identify cases of abuse before they escalate.

“Child abuse thrives where people see and keep quiet,” CLO warned, appealing to traditional rulers, religious leaders, teachers, community leaders and neighbours to report suspected cases of brutality, sexual abuse, trafficking and exploitation involving minors.

The organisation said It would continue monitoring the two cases, declaring: “Anambra must not become a safe haven for child abusers.”

CLO added that justice for the affected children must be “total and uncompromised.”