A 12-year-old girl who was locked up and tortured by her parents on allegations of being a child-witch has been rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akwa Ibom State.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Eluyemi Eluwade, who disclosed this at a press conference in Uyo on Saturday, said the victim identified as Bright Sunday, was allegedly locked up in a dilapidated building by her 38-year-old father, Ndifreke Sunday, in connivance with her stepmother, Mrs. Victory Sunday, both from Ikot Ukporo Idoro Village in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
Eluwade said the victim’s rescue and subsequent arrest of the suspects followed a complaint from the State Ministry of Justice about the suspects torturing the victim.
“The arrest was made on Tuesday, September 10, at Ikot Ukporo Idoro Village in Ibiono Ibom LGA of Akwa Ibom State, following a complaint received from the Ministry of Justice about the suspect subjecting his daughter to inhumane treatment,” Eluwade said.
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He added that the suspects were arrested for child deprivation and abuse in line with Section 10 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2020.
“The suspects admitted to locking up the child because she confessed to being a witch and responsible for her father’s afflictions,” Eluwade said.
The victim who also spoke to journalists during the parley, said her father and step-mother kept her locked up in a dilapidated room, denied food, and bathing, and subjected to consistent beatings.
She said she was fed once every two days, allowed to bathe a maximum of twice a month, and denied education.
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