… police revealed that school officials first noticed multiple injuries on the teenager during a teaching session
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old woman, Edeh Osinachi, over the alleged abuse and severe injury of a 17-year-old girl said to be her domestic help in Awka, the state capital.
The suspect was taken into police custody after being handed over by the Anambra State Ministry of Education on Tuesday, February 3, 2025, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
Ikenga said the arrest underscored the command’s unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of students and minors across the state.
According to the police, preliminary findings revealed that school officials first noticed multiple injuries on the teenager during a teaching session and promptly raised the alarm. Upon questioning, the victim reportedly disclosed that the injuries were inflicted by her guardian after she allegedly used her phone without permission.
Police investigations further revealed that the suspect, in anger, allegedly used a hot pressing iron on the girl as a form of punishment. Ikenga disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the act.
Commending the vigilance of the school authorities, the police spokesperson assured that a thorough investigation was ongoing and that the suspect would be prosecuted in line with the law.
“The command remains committed to ensuring justice for the victim and safeguarding the rights of children in Anambra State,” Ikenga said.
He also urged parents and guardians to take responsibility for the number of children they can adequately care for, warning that negligence often exposes minors to abuse while under the care of others.
The incident has once again drawn attention to Nigeria’s persistent challenge of child abuse, despite growing public awareness and law-enforcement interventions. Experts have linked the problem to poverty, large family sizes and the widespread practice of placing underage girls in domestic service, factors that heighten children’s vulnerability to physical and emotional violence.
Authorities say the ongoing investigation reflects renewed efforts to protect minors and hold perpetrators accountable under relevant laws.
