A 35-year-old businesswoman, Edith Nwachukwu, has been arrested by Imo State police for allegedly assaulting her 13-year-old house help, Kelechi Ejieke. The arrest occurred on Tuesday evening after officers from the Owerri Urban Divisional Police Headquarters rescued the minor at Relief Market in Owerri, the state capital.
According to activist Chidiebube Okeoma, some traders intervened, forcefully rescuing the child from Nwachukwu, who had reportedly inflicted injuries on her and ordered the use of over ten canes on the girl.
The child, severely injured, was rushed to a hospital in Owerri, and the suspect was taken into police custody. Nwachukwu later pleaded for mercy, claiming the child had stolen money—a claim the girl denied. She explained that her actions were driven by anger.
The young girl, identified as Kelechi, hails from Amaeke Adam in Abia State. Okeoma’s Stand for Humanity Foundation is now involved in the case, vowing to ensure justice is served and to deter further child abuse. Okeoma stressed that child battering is a crime that must be stopped.
Imo State Police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, upholds zero tolerance for child abuse and all forms of crime.
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