Happiness Nwafor was allegedly brutalised by her guardian, Adachukwu Okafor, at their G.R.A residence in Onitsha.
The governor’s wife was reacting to a viral video of the 11-year-old girl, who appeared with iron-stamp burns all over her body, said to have been allegedly inflicted by her guardian.
The guardian, now at large, is said to be living with the maid at her Akpaka, 33 G.R.A, Onitsha residence, and got enraged when the maid, who was bathing her child, mistakenly touched the child’s private part.
Speaking shortly after seeing the viral video, on Wednesday, Mrs Soludo directed the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, to take custody of the child and begin immediate treatment on her wounds and also conduct tests to ascertain if she sustained internal injuries.
She described the guardian’s act as “barbaric” and “heinous” and vowed to ensure that justice was served.
She expressed sadness about the current condition of the girl and called on anyone who has information on how to get hold of the fleeing guardian to open up.
She said, “The state remains a red zone for abusers and those who take every opportunity to pounce on the rights of women and children. The state government will leave no stone unturned in dealing with anyone who has no respect for human dignity.
“We appeal for parents to take serious consideration of their child’s age before giving them out as maids or servants and to also know the real temperaments of their child’s guardian.”
The girl, who narrated her ordeal, said she was beaten by her madam for mistakenly touching her daughter’s private part.
While speaking at the hospital where the girl was first rushed to in Ogidi, her relative, identified as Ifeoma, explained that the suspect boasted that nothing would happen because she’s a lawyer and knew how to work her way out.
Ifeoma also confirmed that the 11-year-old was handed over to her madam on January 5, only to be disfigured within the short period of her stay.
