RIVERS POLICE RESCUE TEENAGER LOCKED IN TOILET, ARREST COUPLE

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a couple in Port Harcourt for allegedly locking their 15-year-old house help in a toilet at their residence in Abuloma, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area. The teenager, identified simply as Amaechi, is from Ebonyi State and was reportedly confined for several weeks over an undisclosed offence.

The girl was rescued on Monday, September 14, after the landlord reportedly became concerned about her prolonged absence from the house. According to the police, the landlord noticed that the teenager had not been seen coming out of the residence for some time and alerted the Abuloma Police Division.

A source said the teenager was allegedly fed only once a day with leftover food while in confinement and had repeatedly pleaded for her release. Another account stated that her cries attracted the attention of neighbours, who raised the alarm and prompted the police to intervene.

The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident. She said officers went to the residence after receiving information from the landlord and found the girl locked inside the toilet. The couple, who had employed her as a house help, were subsequently arrested and taken into police custody.

Agabe said the teenager would not be returned to the residence where she was allegedly confined and that her family had been contacted to come to the police station. She added that the couple remained in custody while investigations continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine possible charges.