The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old businesswoman, identified as Edith Nwachukwu, for battering her 13-year-old house help, Kelechi Ejieke.
The suspect was arrested on Tuesday evening by operatives of the Owerri Urban Divisional Police Headquarters after the minor was rescued from her at the popular Relief Market in Owerri, the state capital.
A journalist-activist who busted the businesswoman, Chidiebube Okeoma, told TheNigerian Metro on Wednesday that the businesswoman, who is now in police custody, accused the minor of stealing her money.
Okeoma, who is the founder of a non-governmental organisation, Stand for Humanity Foundation, joined other traders in the market to alert the police who came and picked up the minor and arrested the suspect.
He disclosed that he alongside some traders in the market forcefully rescued the minor from Mrs Nwachukwu after she had inflicted injury on the girl and ordered 10 more pieces of cane to be used on the girl.
Okeoma said, “Men of the Owerri Urban Divisional Police Headquarters have arrested the woman and the minor was rescued. The child was taken to a hospital in Owerri as the injury inflicted on her was severe. The suspect was detained.
“When I was informed, I quickly alerted the DPO. Thanks to some traders who rescued the minor and also involved the police. At the police station, the woman, who later pleaded for mercy, said her house help stole her money, an allegation the girl denied.
“She said she was angry, that was why she battered the minor. The girl said she is from Amaeke, Abam in Abia State.
“Our organisation, Stand For Humanity Foundation, is interested in this matter and we will ensure justice is served to further serve as a deterrent to people who dehumanise children. Child battering is a crime. We will continue to push until people stop it.”
The Imo State Police Command spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, had zero tolerance for child battering and all forms of crimes.
Okoye disclosed that an investigation into the matter had begun.
