The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a trader, Mrs. Nkeiruka Ngwu, for allegedly torturing her 10-year-old maid, Chioma Samuel, with a hot iron.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Wednesday at Ngwu’s house on Ogundana Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja.
It was gathered that the 36-year-old had returned home from work and was informed by some neighbours that her children cried endlessly while she was away.
She was alleged to have angrily plugged an iron which she allegedly pressed on the victim’s legs and arms.
The mother of four also allegedly poured hot water on the victim.
Ngwu, while accompanied by Samuel, had reportedly taken her children to school the next day when some parents challenged her over the victim’s injuries.
They advised her to take Samuel to a hospital for treatment.
When their advice was ignored, the women reported the case to the police.
A source said Ngwu, who hailed from the same hometown as the victim in Ngwu, Abia State, took her from her family in January 2018.
He said, “The girl lost her father late last year and she promised to take care of her and enrol her in a school. But since the girl arrived in Lagos, it has been one abuse after the other.
“On Wednesday, she (Ngwu) had returned from work when some of her neighbours told her her children cried for a long time and that the girl probably beat them up. She became angry and burnt the girl with a hot iron in the hands and legs. She also scalded her body with hot water which she poured on her.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Chike Oti, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, said Ngwu tortured the victim “mentally and physically.”
Oti, a Superintendent of Police, noted that the suspect never kept the promise she made to Samuel’s family to take care of her.
He explained that the torture was discovered when Ngwu took her children to school a day after the alleged torture.
“On Thursday, March 8, 2018, her cup of iniquity got filled when she took her children to a private school in Ikeja. Unfortunately for her, the prying eyes of other mothers, who came to the school to drop off their kids, noticed the gaping wounds on the upper and lower limbs of the victim, who accompanied the suspect to the school.
“After questioning the girl, they waited for her madam, who had gone to drop her kids in their various classrooms. When she finished and was about to drive off, she was confronted by those women, who nearly mobbed her.
“They were calmed by some teachers, who heard their voices. The women told the suspect to take the girl to a hospital or else they would petition the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Edgal Imohimi.
“In spite of their warning to report to the authorities, Mrs. Nkeiruka Ngwu, like the proverbial dog that wouldn’t hearken to its master’s call when danger is lurking, stubbornly went to the school on Friday, March 9, 2018, accompanied by the child whose wounds were manifestly untreated,” the PPRO added.
Oti said the parents made good their threat and reported to the CP, who ordered the arrest of the suspect.
He said while the case was referred to the gender section of the command, Samuel was taken to a police hospital for treatment.
The police spokesperson said Imohimi also instructed that Samuel be taken care of until she was handed over to the social welfare team of the Lagos State Government.
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