Medical bills of 10-year-old Miss Ifunanya Ede, whose mistress; Mrs Zazi David Orjiugo Kelechi reportedly serially abused and brutalised penultimate Sunday over unspecified misdemeanor have been taken over by the wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu.
The little girl served as a maid to the 37-year-old lady from Aboh Mbaise until she (Zazi David) subjected her to inhuman treatment such as dousing her with scotching hot water mixed with pepper, a development that resulted in some parts of her tender body being peeled off.
Mrs Nkechi ikpeazu who paid an unscheduled visit to the Police Clinic where she was admitted to ascertain her current state of health, expressed profound shock at the horrific injuries on the body of the kid.
She described as very inhumane and barbaric the action of the suspect, now being detained by the police and who reportedly, forced the little girl to drink the boiling water and also allegedly poked pepper into her private parts.
Medical investigations show the girl has been victimised for more than a year.
“I saw the first pictures of the injuries of girl last week and immediately I reached out to the Commissioner of Police, Mrs Janet Agbede. She has assured me that the investigation has been speeded up and the perpetrator will be charged to court.
“I have confidence in the police under Mrs. Agbede. She is a mother and understands the import of safeguarding our children. Last Friday, I also directed the State Action Committee Against Gender Based Violence to follow up on the case and work with stakeholders including FIDA, Child Protection Network, NAPTIP and others and ensure things are done rightly.
“I am certain that justice will be gotten to serve as deterrent to others who are in the habit of viciously maltreating our children,” Mrs Ikpeazu said.
She continued, “I came to the hospital today to see things for myself and I am indeed shocked at the brutality, barbarism and the viciousness of the attacks on the little girl.
“I have directed my personal physician to join the medical team handling the girl’s healthcare while we are also getting throat specialists and surgeons to look at her. I have made some donations towards her care and upkeep and I will also pick up her medical bills at the end of treatment.
“I have met with her parents and expressed my sympathies with them.
“However, it is important that we emphasise here that parents should take care of their biological children and stop trafficking out children to people who do not appreciate or value life. Give birth to your child and care for them. Do not have more children than you can adequately train.”
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
