Edo State rearrests couple over alleged child abuse

The Edo State Government says the mother and stepfather of an 11-year-old girl allegedly abused in Benin City have been rearrested and will be prosecuted following renewed investigations into the case.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah said the ministry is committed to ensuring justice for the child.

According to Abdallah, the suspects were initially released from police custody because there was no official record stating why they had been brought to the station. She said they have since been rearrested and will face prosecution. She said: “The suspects were released because nobody recorded why they were brought to the station. However, they have been rearrested, and the ministry will prosecute both the mother and stepfather. We are determined to ensure that justice is served.”

The commissioner said the victim has been placed under protective care, where she is receiving medical treatment, psychosocial support, temporary shelter and other assistance to aid her recovery. She added that the ministry will continue monitoring the child’s welfare while investigations continue and will take all necessary steps to support her rehabilitation.

Also speaking, President of the Traders Welfare Union of Nigeria, Lucky Orukpe, said he reported the alleged abuse to the police after the matter was brought to his attention. According to Orukpe, he took the child and her mother to the police station before contacting the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs, which later assumed responsibility for the case.

He said the suspects were initially released from custody, after which the child’s mother reportedly moved from her residence, making it difficult to monitor the case. Orukpe added that the police later traced and rearrested the suspects with his assistance, allowing investigations to continue.

The case drew public attention after a viral video recorded by Orukpe showed the child with injuries allegedly caused by physical abuse. In the video, the child’s mother, identified as Beauty, allegedly admitted burning part of the girl’s lower body with melted nylon as punishment for what she described as misconduct.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Women Affairs rescued the child and placed her under protective care while investigations commenced. Although the mother reportedly claimed she carried out the act while her husband was away, some residents alleged that the stepfather restrained the child during the incident.

Authorities also reportedly found older injury marks on different parts of the girl’s body, raising concerns that the alleged abuse may have occurred repeatedly over a prolonged period. The allegations remain under investigation as government officials and law enforcement agencies continue efforts to establish the facts and ensure justice for the victim.