The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a couple after their 15-year-old house help, identified simply as Amaechi, was allegedly found locked inside a toilet at their residence in Abuloma, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
The teenager, who is from Ebonyi State, was rescued by operatives of the Abuloma Police Division on Monday, September 14, following a report by the landlord, who became concerned after noticing that she had not been seen outside the house for some time.
The Punch reported that the couple, whose identities were not disclosed by the police, allegedly kept the girl confined in the toilet for weeks over an undisclosed offence.
According to a source, the teenager was allegedly given leftover food once daily while in confinement, despite repeatedly pleading with her alleged captors to release her.
Another account said the girl’s cries drew the attention of neighbours, who became suspicious and raised the alarm, leading to police intervention.
Confirming the incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police Blessing Agabe, said the landlord’s observation prompted the rescue operation.
Agabe said, “Yes, I can confirm the incident.
“It was the landlord that noticed that the girl had not been coming out of the house for some time. He suspected something and informed the police.
“So our men got there and rescued the girl from the house where she was locked up in the toilet. She was their house help. We have contacted the family of the girl to come to the station.
“The husband and the wife that she was living with as their house help have been arrested. They are with us and investigation is ongoing.”
The police spokesperson further stated that the teenager would not be taken back to the residence where she was allegedly confined.
“We asked the family of the girl to come to the station because the girl will not return to the house she was picked up from,” she said.
When asked whether the couple would be arraigned, Agabe said, “Well, for now, investigation is ongoing.”
