Nwanja, currently in custody of Ezza-South Local Government in Ebonyi state, narrated to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abakaliki, the dehumanizing treatment meted on her by her madam, Mrs Nkechinyere Bartholomew in Onitsha, Anambra state.
The girl, a native of Okoffia-Ohaji, said Bartholomew, now at large, subjected her to serious torture for four years.
“My mistress usually inserts sticks inside my vagina, hits me with iron rods, wires and also ties me with chain whenever she is going out.
“My Aunty always uses blade to cut my skin.
“These scars, injuries on my head, body and lips were inflicted on me by my Aunty for 4 year,.” she said
Mrs Ngozi Nwanja, the mother of the victim, said her daughter was 8 when she was handed over to Bartholomew.
She said efforts to see her daughter was not successful as Bartholomew’s mother always claimed that her daughter’s contact number was not reachable.
“When Bartholomew came for my child through her mother who resided in Idembia Ezza-South LGA, she promised that her daughter will take good care of her,’’ she said.
Mr Godwin Igwe, Head of Department, Child Development in the state ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development,confirming the incident described the degree of injures on the victim as real damage and evil.
He said “The Chairman of Head of Department of Education and Social Welfare of the council. Mr Sunday Ogodo, ordered the arrest of the mother and brother of the accused because they were conniving to shield Bartholomew from arrest.
“Her mother and brother have been released by the police, but her younger sister is still in detention because she stays in Onitsha with them and also brought the victim back to Ebonyi along with her aunty.
“The perpetrator boasted that she will settle the matter with money.
“This is worrisome. There is increasing cases of child brutalization.
“From all indications Nwanja’s hand is condemned and we don’t know the extent of damage to her brain and other parts of her body,” Igwe said.
Igwe further appealed to the government, Civil Society Organisation (CSO), philanthropists, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the police and public who are interested in Child protection to save children from abuses.
“Bartholomew would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others and the victim would be taken to the hospital for medical examination and treatment.
“We will take steps to stop the trend as its portraying a negative image of the country before the International community,” Igwe added.
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