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The Ebonyi State Government has publicly disclosed the successful rescue of a 10-year-old child from a situation of abuse and maltreatment.
On Friday, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, responsible for the child’s rescue, expressed deep concern about the alarming frequency of human rights violations in society.
Nwamkpuma, in a discussion with newsmen, shed light on the alarming state of affairs in the state, particularly concerning child labour, dehumanization, denial of education, and other maltreatment.
The survivor, Miss Chinelo Eze from Nsokkara Community of Ezza-North Local Government Area in the state, was discovered wandering the streets of Abakaliki with visible bruises all over her body, as she revealed during the disclosure.
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Eze, as she recounted, was found and brought to the ministry by a benevolent passerby.
‘Upon investigation, it was discovered that the child ran away from her caregiver due to the inhuman treatment meted out to her.’
‘We also observed that she was denied access to education, suffered child labour and chained like an animal, which caused bruises on her hands.’
‘We also learnt that her guardians, now at large, have four children who are older than the survivor,’ Nwamkpuma said.
She made it clear that individuals found culpable of such actions would be subject to legal repercussions, aiming to deter others from similar misconduct.
She appealed to parents, asking them to refrain from sending their children to work as maids, and instead, focus on providing them with proper education.
Mr. Godwin Igwe, the ministry’s Director of Child Development, declared that it is now illegal to employ a child under 12 years of age as domestic help.
