A 35-year-old businesswoman, Edith Nwachukwu, has been arrested by the Imo State Police Command for allegedly assaulting her 13-year-old househelp, Kelechi Ejieke.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when police officers from the Owerri Urban Divisional Police Headquarters rescued the girl at the Relief Market in Owerri, the state capital.
Chidiebube Okeoma, a journalist-activist, played a key role in exposing the abuse. Okeoma, who is the founder of Stand for Humanity Foundation, was alerted by market traders and immediately informed the police.
Together, they intervened and helped rescue the girl from Nwachukwu, who had reportedly beaten the child and ordered additional caning. Okeoma told PUNCH Metro that Nwachukwu accused the minor of stealing money, a claim the girl denied.
The child was taken to a hospital for treatment due to the severity of her injuries, while Nwachukwu was detained. Okeoma explained that the suspect admitted to being angry and said she had assaulted the girl.
The child, identified as being from Amaeke, Abam in Abia State, was later found to be in critical condition.
Stand for Humanity Foundation has vowed to pursue justice for the victim, emphasizing that child abuse will not be tolerated. “Child battering is a crime, and we will continue to fight for justice,” Okeoma said.
Imo State Police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed that an investigation is underway, and the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, reiterated the state’s commitment to zero tolerance for child abuse and other criminal acts.
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