A woman, Mrs. Ada Ogbogu, who allegedly assaulted her stepson with a pestle, causing serious harm has been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command.
The Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, announced on Saturday that Mrs Ogbogu, a resident of Sunrise Estate in Emene, Enugu metropolis, was arrested on Friday and is now in police custody.
She said the decisive move demonstrates the state government’s commitment to protecting its children and ensuring that such horrific incidents would not be tolerated. She noted that Enugu State had a strong stance against child mistreatment and the arrest would send a clear message that perpetrators would face consequences.
She said, “Once we were tipped off through one of our whistleblower channels on Friday, I quickly contacted the police and we all mobilised to the location, but only to meet the suspect, Mrs Ada Ogbogu’s absence. We, therefore, headed for the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, where we immediately effected her arrest after informing the hospital’s management.
“We were also at the victim’s bedside where we met with the team of doctors handling his case. The poor boy, aged three, had his femur or thigh bone broken. “It is heart-wrenching how wickedly some people treat other people’s children and sometimes even their children. But in Enugu State, we have zero tolerance for such excesses. Governor Peter Mbah has declared that no child should suffer abuse in Enugu State under his watch. Hence, this administration has made examples of culprits. This one will not be an exception after the police investigation.
“In the meantime, the wife of the Nkechinyere Mbah is very pained by this development and has been intensively on the matter. She has promised to not only see that justice is done but also ensure that the little boy gets all the medical treatment he needs to get back on his feet as soon as possible,” Mrs Enih stated.
