Edo Government Rescues 11 Year Old Girl Allegedly Abused by Mother, Stepfather
The Edo State Government has taken an 11 year old girl, Rejoice Godswill, into protective custody following allegations of severe abuse by her mother and stepfather in the New Benin area of Benin City.
The intervention followed a viral video recorded by a human rights activist, Comrade Lucky Orukpe, which showed the child with visible injuries.
In the video, the girl’s mother, identified as Beauty, allegedly admitted to burning part of the child’s buttocks with melted nylon cellophane as punishment for what she described as stubborn behaviour.
Following the report, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, directed the immediate arrest of the child’s mother and stepfather to enable authorities to investigate the allegations.
The suspects are currently being held at the New Benin Divisional Police Station and are expected to be transferred to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation.
The Ministry has taken the child into protective custody, where she is receiving medical attention, psychosocial support and temporary shelter while investigations into the alleged abuse continue.
The Commissioner commended Comrade Orukpe for bringing the matter to the attention of the authorities and for his efforts toward protecting vulnerable persons and promoting humanitarian causes.
The Edo State Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children from abuse, neglect and other forms of violence, urging members of the public to report suspected cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities.
