A 12-year-old girl Chikamso Ekeocha has narrated how she was tortured by her master and mistress who used hot red spoon placed on a burning gas to inflict injuries on her body.
Ekeocha also said she constantly received strokes of the cane from her mistress, one Mrs. Njideka and her husband Uzoma at their residence at Area L, World Bank, Owerri, Imo state.
Narrating her ordeal to her class teacher in Igbo language on Thursday, Chikamso said that her madam lacerated her body with a cooking spoon which she placed on the burning gas and when the spoon was red hot she would use it to inflict injuries on her body.
Chikamso who hails from Ubomiri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state lives as a maid with Uzoma and his wife Njideka. She had lived with the family for about 2 years.
She said that the fresh and conspicuous burns all over her body were inflicted on her by the said Mr. Uzoma because she rode the bicycle belonging to his kids.
“After receiving strokes of cane from Mrs. Njideka, a red-hot spoon (cooking spoon) placed on a burning gas was used by Mr. Uzoma to inflict all those injuries and the marks all over my body,” she said.
Reacting, the Publicity Secretary of Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch Daniel Odiba, said that the association received the report on its various WhatsApp platforms showing a video clip of a dehumanised young child in her school uniform.
“This morning (Thursday) the various WhatsApp platforms of the NBA Owerri Branch were greeted with repeated posts of a video clip showing a dehumanised young child in her school uniform.
In the video clip a young girl about the age of 12 years was seen responding to questions (in Igbo language) from one who appeared to be her school teacher. She gave the following particulars.
“Upon seeing the video, the Chairman of the Branch, Ugochukwu Alinnor, promptly directed the Vice Chairman and Head, Human Rights Committee, Dr. Chioma Emuka to immediately follow up the case with a view to having the Bar intervene.”
He said the association swung into action and contacted relevant security agencies.
“Through concerted efforts, the principal perpetrator, Mr. Uzoma has been arrested while the wife Njideka is on the run. The child victim, young Chikamso Ekeocha is currently on admission and receiving treatment at Specialist Hospital Umuguma, Owerri, Imo state. Her biological mother has since arrived the hospital as well.”
“The NBA sincerely appreciates FIDA and other Civil Society Organisations who have shown sufficient efforts and commitment against this grave act of man’s inhumanity to a child.”