Anambra Govt rescues 17-year-old girl from stepfather who attempted to use her for ritual

 

The Anambra State Government has rescued a 17-year-old girl from her alleged ritualist stepfather in Nise town, Awka South Local Government Area of the state. 

 

The State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon Ify Obinabo, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, said the suspect, Mr. Sunday Ezeh, a traditionalist, wanted to use the teenage girl for ritual. 

 The statement issued by Miss Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Commissioner, said the girl underwent a successful surgery and is recuperating at the pediatrics ward of the Chukwuebuka Odumegwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku Awka.

 Speaking when she brought the girl to the hospital, Hon Obinabo explained that she was hinted of the incident by some indigenes of Nise but due to the sensitivity of the case, collaborated with the local vigilante in apprehending the offender before handing him over to the police. 

 “She therefore warned that the Prof Chukwuma Soludo's led administration has zero tolerance for any form of crime hence when caught committing one, must be severely dealt with,” the statement read. 

 "Hon Obinabo on her second visit at the hospital went further to warn everyone to desist from any form of harmful traditional practices against girls, children and women as the case may be as she noted that according to reports, Sunday Ezeh wanted to use his step daughter for ritual.

 "Sharing her experience, the 17 year old survivor who was rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment said, she was bound hands and feet by the said father and locked up in a room for one month without food.

"According to her, she couldn't remember what her offense was but was told by her father that she messed up the compound with her poo and the beating and inhumane treatments was her punishment.

 "The rescued girl also noted that the stepfather had used a Bamboo plank to hit her on the head but for the early intervention of people, she was saved and brought to the hospital.

 "Whereas according to the alleged suspect Sunday Ezeh, he noted that he merely punished his disobedient daughter for desecrating his compound with poo which is against his traditional belief and practice, though pleaded for pardon during arrest but was handed over to the police.

 "The case has been transferred to the Anambra State Police Criminal Investigative Department and will be charged to court.

 “Meanwhile, the survivor sustained a lot of injury in all parts of her body and as a result was billed for emergency surgery in the head.”