The Nigeria Police has arrested a father of two, identified as Ejike, for bathing his neighbour, a 31-year-old woman identified as Blessing, with hot water in the Mile 2 area of Diobu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the man poured hot water on the woman’s breast with splashes touching her face on Wednesday.
It was learnt that trouble started when Blessing, a hair stylist, went inside her compound at Azikiwe Street to take water she was boiling with an electric kettle to strengthen the hair of a customer she braided when Ejike’s son ran into her.
However, as a result of the collision between Blessing and Ejike’s son, some of the hot water from the kettle poured on the ground and splashed Ejike’s son on the leg.
A source told our correspondent that while Blessing was sympathising with the little boy, Ejike came out from his room and enquired what transpired.
According to the source, “As other neighbours were narrating what happened to Ejike, Blessing was still sympathising with the little boy. He (Ejike) reached for the hot water in the kettle which was on the ground behind Blessing, came in front of the young woman’s front and (allegedly) poured the hot water on her breast which also splashed her face.”
It was further gathered that Ejike ran away after committing the act while Blessing was taken to the Azikiwe Police Division in Iloabuchi where she was issued a medical form and taken to the hospital and is receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, the lady’s family is demanding justice, saying the action of Ejike was condemnable.
Her elder brother, Goodluck Nwankwo, while speaking to newsmen on Thursday, said, “We want the police to get the young man arrested. Then, if he is arrested, he will see what he did to my sister.
“It is not right. I have to do the necessary things so that the government can take over the matter. I want justice to be done.”
Continuing, he said, “Due to the medical attention they gave her yesterday, she is getting better but the problem is the money they are asking is too much and I have spent much already.
“I am thinking if I have to go back to Anambra State and come back to be able to raise some money.”
Our correspondent who saw Blessing reports that the burns on the breast as a result of the hot water were severe.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying the man had been arrested,
Iringe-koko, a Superintendent of Police, stated, “Yes, I’m aware and the man has been arrested, The police have issued the woman a medical form and she is receiving treatment.”
