Police rescue girl locked in toilet, arrest Rivers couple

The Rivers State Police has arrested a couple for locking their 15-year-old house help, known as Amaechi, in a toilet at their home in Abuloma, Port Harcourt City.

Amaechi, who is from Ebonyi State, was rescued by police on Monday, September 14. The landlord raised the alarm when he noticed she had not come out for a long time.

The couple, whose names are not disclosed, reportedly locked the girl in the toilet for weeks over an unknown issue.

A source shared that while Amaechi was locked up, she was only given food once a day. She repeatedly begged to be let out.

Some neighbors heard her cries and reported it, prompting the police to take action.

In a phone interview on Tuesday, the Rivers State Police spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident. She said the landlord's concern 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 investigation is ongoing."

The police spokesperson also said the girl will not go back to the house where she was 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 added.

When asked if the couple would face charges, Agabe replied, "Well, for now, investigation is ongoing."