Video of starving girl sparks anger as police officer is accused of abuse

A Facebook video showing a police officer's daughter being starved and abused has caused a lot of anger online.

The Nigerian Police confirmed that the child has been rescued and is now getting medical care.

The video was posted last Thursday by Jennifer Inyang. She stood next to a very thin girl on Ikpa Road in Uyo and accused the child’s dad, a police officer, of mistreatment.

In later posts, Ms Inyang shared videos from a hospital where the girl was being treated. She named the child’s father as “Inspector Daniel Akpan,” who she said works at the Police Division in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Serious accusations

In the first video, Ms Inyang asked someone to film the girl’s condition.

“I am on Ikpa Road in Uyo. Come and record this girl,” she said while touching the girl's shoulder.

She claimed that the girl had been beaten, bullied, and denied food.

“They have beaten her, bullied her and inflicted machete cuts on her. They have starved this child,” she said. People near the scene said the girl's father is a police officer.

As the video continued, other voices off-camera made more claims.

“They even struck her with a hammer,” one voice said. Another added, “He also burned her with fire.”

Ms Inyang also said the girl’s mother died shortly after childbirth. She claimed that the officer has “nine children with nine different women” and that he lets his other children mistreat the girl.

She called on the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Office of the First Lady, and the Ministry of Women Affairs, saying, “I am standing here today as a mother. From this moment, this child should no longer remain in that environment. I will take her to the government and, if the law permits, adopt her.”

Throughout the video, the girl looked weak and malnourished. Her ribs were visible, and a piece of black cloth was wrapped around her foot, near what seemed like a wound.

As she lifted part of the girl’s clothing to show her emaciated body, Ms Inyang said tearfully, “Look at this little girl. She has been deprived of food. From today, I consider her my child.”

Updates from the hospital

In videos later shared from the hospital, the girl was seen eating rice while Ms Inyang spoke to her.

“I bought chocolate, popcorn, everything that will make you happy,” Ms Inyang told the girl.

In one of the videos, the girl named her father as “Inspector Daniel Akpan.”

Ms Inyang later posted a photo of a man she said was the child’s father, writing: “Here is the father of this girl. Daniel Okon Akpan. Inspector, Itu Division.”

In another post, she shared a video of the girl being wheeled in for an X-ray. She also asked for financial help for the girl’s medical bills by sharing her bank account details.

According to her Facebook profile, Ms Inyang is a content creator, marriage counselor, and master of ceremonies.

Police confirm rescue and start investigation

In response to questions from PREMIUM TIMES, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom State, Timfon John, confirmed that the child was rescued and is receiving medical care.

“The victim has been successfully rescued and taken to a medical facility, where she is currently receiving medical attention,” Ms John said in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES last Thursday.

She added that early police findings show that the girl’s father is a police officer currently assigned to the police command in Delta. This is different from Ms Inyang’s claim that he works in Itu Division, Akwa Ibom.

She said investigators are working to find out more about the alleged abuse.

Reactions on social media

The video got many reactions from Facebook users, with many calling for the authorities to act quickly.

“I’m so devastated. God bless you for the show of love to the innocent girl,” Iniobong Akpakpan wrote.

“God bless you, Ma’am. If the girl would like to tell you the truth, there’s more to this,” Kataleya Ekpo commented.

But George Imowo advised caution: “All this your story is hearsay, abi. Don’t conclude until you hear from both sides,” he wrote.

Another Facebook user, Abigail Akpan, emphasized the girl’s immediate care.

“You’ve done well to expose (this). But while seeking justice, the girl should be given medical attention immediately,” she wrote.