Edo State Government has rescued an 11-year-old girl, Rejoice Godswill from her mother following intense abuse which surfaced online.
Rejoice Godswill was taken into protective custody by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development after the viral video showed her allegedly being abused by her mother in New Benin
The video, recorded by human rights activist Comrade Lucky Orukpe, showed the child with visible injuries.
In the footage, the mother, identified as Beauty, admitted to burning part of the girl’s buttocks with melted nylon cellophane as punishment for what she described as stubborn behaviour.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, said the mother and stepfather have been arrested and are being held at the New Benin Divisional Police Station pending transfer to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation.
The Ministry said Rejoice is receiving medical care, psychosocial support and temporary shelter. It reaffirmed the state government’s zero-tolerance stance on child abuse and urged members of the public to report cases of abuse and neglect to relevant authorities.
