OPERATIVES of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Akwa Ibom State Command have rescued a 12-year-old girl who was allegedly locked up for two years and subjected to inhumane treatment by her father and stepmother on the accusation that she was a witch.
The spokesperson of the corps in the state, SC Friday Ekerete, who disclosed this in a statement, said the father and stepmother have been arrested for child deprivation and abuse.
“The arrest was made on Tuesday, 10th September 2024 at Ikot Ukporo Idoro Village in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State following a complaint received from the Ministry of Justice about the suspect subjecting his daughter to inhumane treatment,” the statement read.
“The suspect, Mr Ndifreke Sunday Etok, ‘M’ 38 years, and his wife, who is a stepmother to the girl, Mrs. Victory Fortune Sunday ‘F’ 28 years admitted to locking up the child but added that he did it because she confessed to being a witch and responsible for his afflictions. He added that the girl disappears for weeks whenever she is set free.
“The victim, Miss Bright Fortune Sunday, narrated her ordeal stating that she was kept locked up in a dilapidated room, denied food, bathing and subjected to consistent beating from her stepmother.
“She said that she was fed once every two days, allowed to bathe a maximum of twice a month and denied education. She added that she confessed to being a witch so that the parents can cease beating her.”
Parading the suspects before newsmen, Commandant Eluwade Eluyemi stated that the despicable act contravenes Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which guarantees the right to dignity of every Nigerian.
Eighteen-Eleven Media