Police operatives in Rivers State have reportedly rescued a 15-year-old girl, Amarachi, who was allegedly locked inside a toilet for several months at a residence in Abuloma, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The teenager, said to be from Ebonyi State, was reportedly working as a domestic help in the house of a couple identified as Eze Simeon and his wife when the alleged incident occurred.
According to reports, the girl was allegedly confined to the toilet after she was accused of committing an offence.
She was said to have spent several months in the alleged confinement, during which she reportedly lived in poor conditions and was allegedly fed only once a day with leftover food.
Amarachi’s situation reportedly came to public attention on Tuesday, September 15, after she raised an alarm while the occupants of the residence were away.
Her cries reportedly drew the attention of neighbours, who alerted the police at the Abuloma Division.
Responding to the distress call, police officers reportedly arrived at the residence and found the teenager before taking her out of the alleged place of confinement.
A video shared on X by social media influencer, Chuks Eric, captured the moment police officers arrived at the house and brought the girl out.
The footage also showed a man said to be living in the residence being taken away by the police.
A woman speaking in the video appeared to be explaining the situation to the officers while expressing outrage over the alleged treatment of the teenager.
She also called for the arrest of the man’s wife, alleging that she was involved in the circumstances surrounding the girl’s confinement.
However, several details of the incident remain unconfirmed.
It is yet to be established what specific offence the teenager was accused of committing before she was allegedly locked inside the toilet. The extent of the involvement of the man and his wife has also not been officially established.
It was also unclear whether the couple had been formally arrested or charged as of the time of filing the report.
The incident has renewed concerns over the welfare of minors engaged as domestic workers, particularly those who live away from their parents or guardians and may be vulnerable to abuse within private households.
The police are expected to investigate the allegations and establish the circumstances that led to the teenager’s alleged confinement and maltreatment.
The welfare and protection of the rescued girl are also expected to be considered as authorities determine the next steps.
As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Police Command had not issued an official detailed statement on the incident.
Attempts to contact the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, for confirmation and further details were unsuccessful.
