Couple Arrested Again for Alleged Child Abuse in Edo State

The Edo State Government has announced that the mother and stepfather of an 11-year-old girl, who was reportedly abused in Benin, have been rearrested. They will now face legal action as investigations into the case have been revived.

Eugenia Abdallah, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, shared this information in an interview on Friday with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin. She said the ministry is serious about ensuring justice.

Mrs Abdallah explained that the suspects were initially let go from police custody because there was no official record showing why they were taken to the station. She confirmed that they have now been rearrested and will be prosecuted. She emphasized that the ministry is committed to accountability and protecting the victim.

“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,” Mrs Abdallah said. She added that the government would keep working with relevant agencies to protect the child’s rights and welfare.

The commissioner noted that the victim is now under protective care. She is getting medical treatment, psychosocial support, temporary shelter, and other help for her recovery. Mrs Abdallah stated that the ministry will keep monitoring the child’s welfare while the investigations are ongoing. She assured that all necessary steps would be taken to support her rehabilitation.

In another interview with NAN, Lucky Orukpe, the President of the Traders Welfare Union of Nigeria, said he took the child and her mother to the police. Mr Orukpe reported the case after he learned about it and later contacted the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs, which took charge of the situation.

He mentioned that the suspects were initially released from custody. After that, the child’s mother reportedly moved from her home, making it harder for those involved to keep track of the case. Mr Orukpe said police were able to trace the suspects again with his help, leading to their rearrest and allowing authorities to continue investigating the abuse claims.

NAN reports that the case gained public attention after a video recorded by Mr Orukpe went viral. In the video, the child was seen with injuries that were allegedly linked to physical abuse and mistreatment.

In the video, the child’s mother, identified as Beauty, reportedly admitted to burning part of the girl’s lower body with melted nylon as punishment for misbehavior. Following this, the ministry rescued the child and put her in protective care while the government started investigations and interventions to ensure her safety and recovery.

While the mother claimed she acted when her husband was not home, some residents said the stepfather held the child during the incident. Authorities also found older injury marks on various parts of the child’s body, raising fears that the alleged abuse might have happened repeatedly over time.

The investigation is still ongoing, and government officials along with law enforcement are working hard to piece together the facts and ensure justice is served for the victim.