18-Year-Old Apprentice Impregnates 10 Girls, Including Master’s Daughter in Anambra: Ministry of Women Affairs Raises Alarm
In a case that has sent shockwaves across communities in Anambra State, an 18-year-old apprentice has reportedly impregnated ten girls—including his master’s daughter and salesgirl—within a span of five months, prompting intervention from the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare.
Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon. Ify Obinabo, disclosed the startling development during a live video broadcast on Wednesday, urging the public and medical professionals to assist in understanding the psychological and social implications of the boy’s behavior.
According to the Commissioner, the case was brought to the Ministry’s attention by the boy’s distressed mother, who could no longer cope with the growing scandal and shame enveloping her family. The woman, whose identity has been withheld for confidentiality, reported that her son had been dismissed by his master after impregnating both the daughter of the household and a female sales attendant within three months of arriving in the commercial town for his apprenticeship.
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Following his dismissal, the boy returned to his rural village in Anambra State, where his conduct worsened. In just two months, he allegedly impregnated eight other girls, some of them minors, creating what Hon. Obinabo described as “a humanitarian and social crisis.”
“The mother told me that anytime she sees a girl walking towards their house or walking with her son, her heart skips. She came to my office in tears, begging for help,” Obinabo said during the broadcast.
In an effort to understand the root cause of the boy’s actions, Commissioner Obinabo said she personally interviewed the young man. To her surprise, the boy confessed that he often lured his victims by professing love and promising marriage as soon as he becomes successful in life. According to her, there was no mention of coercion or the use of fetish means, but the consistency and scale of his manipulation left many puzzled.
“When I confronted the boy to explain the secret behind his manipulative prowess and overtures to these girls, he simply told me he used to tell them that he loved them and would marry them when he becomes wealthy,” the Commissioner narrated.
“What kind of charm or psychological power is this? Is this a spiritual matter? Is it peer pressure? Or is there something wrong with the boy that we are yet to understand medically or psychologically?”
In the yet-to-be-identified community where the boy resides, fear and embarrassment have gripped both elders and families of the victims. The scandal has unsettled the local church and traditional institutions. One local source, who spoke to this reporter under the condition of anonymity, said some families are now considering relocating to avoid the stigma.
“This is not ordinary. Even the traditional ruler and village women group are in shock. How can one boy in his teens cause this level of confusion in a peaceful community? Parents are now watching their daughters like hawks,” the source said.
Several of the affected girls are reportedly under 20 years of age, with at least three said to be school-aged teenagers. Social workers dispatched by the Ministry of Women Affairs have commenced assessments to determine the welfare needs of the pregnant girls and the level of emotional trauma they may be dealing with.
The Ministry is currently consulting child psychologists, social workers, and medical experts to evaluate the boy and ascertain whether his behavior is the result of deeper psychological conditions or social neglect.
“We’re not only dealing with a case of irresponsible sexual behavior; we’re looking at possible compulsive patterns or a mental health crisis. This boy might be a victim himself—of abuse, abandonment, or early exposure to harmful content. We’re not ruling anything out,” a senior social worker familiar with the case told LCR.
The Ministry also plans to conduct paternity tests as part of a comprehensive response to the claims, in collaboration with healthcare facilities and security agencies, especially in cases involving minors.
Analysts and public commentators have weighed in on the incident, seeing it not just as an isolated case of youthful recklessness but as symptomatic of broader social dysfunctions—ranging from poor sex education, the glorification of deceptive romantic relationships, to the vulnerability of young girls in patriarchal rural settings.
Renowned gender advocate, Dr. Ifunanya Ekezie, described the story as “deeply disturbing and yet not entirely surprising.”
“Young people, especially boys, are left to the streets to learn about sexuality from dangerous sources. What you’re seeing here is the explosion of misinformation, poverty, peer influence, and the absence of community mentorship. The girls also become easy prey due to their own social conditioning,” Ekezie said.
The Commissioner has called for urgent stakeholder meetings involving school authorities, religious leaders, youth mentors, and health experts to design a targeted intervention that will curb similar incidents.
Legal experts are already examining the age of the girls involved to determine if statutory rape charges can be filed. Nigeria’s Child Rights Act stipulates 18 as the age of consent, and any sexual activity involving someone younger can lead to prosecution for defilement or rape.
The Anambra State Police Command has not released an official statement, but sources within the Force confirm that investigations are ongoing. If any of the impregnated girls are under 18, the boy could face charges under child protection laws, although being a minor himself could complicate the legal process.
In closing her statement, Hon. Obinabo appealed to families, religious groups, and traditional rulers to intensify moral guidance and community vigilance in raising children. She also warned against stigmatizing the girls involved, insisting that they too need support, therapy, and rehabilitation.
“This is not the time to cast stones. It’s a wake-up call for all of us—parents, teachers, religious leaders, and even government agencies. We need to be proactive, not reactive,” she emphasized.
The Ministry of Women Affairs said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they unfold. Meanwhile, counseling services have been activated for the affected girls, and arrangements are being made for medical care and safe delivery, where necessary.
The story of the 18-year-old apprentice has since gone viral on social media, with many Nigerians expressing disbelief, ridicule, and even admiration—albeit controversially—at the sheer number of girls involved. But for the communities grappling with the aftermath, the situation is far from a laughing matter.
As authorities investigate deeper into the psychological, social, and legal dimensions of this bizarre development, one thing is certain: the case has opened a critical conversation on youth sexual behavior, accountability, and the breakdown of communal parenting structures in contemporary Nigerian society.
