The Rivers State Police Command has detained a couple for reportedly trapping their 15-year-old house help, simply known as Amaechi, in a toilet at their home in Abuloma, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
The teenager, who is from Ebonyi State, was reportedly rescued by Abuloma Police Division officers on Monday, September 14, after the landlord voiced concerns about her protracted absence.
The couple, whose identities were not revealed, allegedly locked the daughter in the toilet for weeks over an unspecified offense.
According to a source, despite continuously appeal for her release, the victim was only fed once a day with leftover food while in custody.
Another report stated that the girl’s cries drew the attention of neighbors, who raised the alarm, prompting the police to intervene.
In a phone contact with our correspondent on Tuesday, Rivers State Police Command spokeswoman Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the occurrence and stated that the landlord’s observation led to the girl’s rescue.
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 the investigation is ongoing.”
The police spokesperson also stated that the teenager would not be returned to the house 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.
Speaking on whether the couple would be arraigned, Agabe said, “Well, for now, the investigation is ongoing.”
