Edo Rearrests Mother, Stepfather of Abused 11-Year-Old

The case of an 11-year-old girl allegedly abused in Benin City has drawn renewed attention after the Edo State Government confirmed that the child's mother and stepfather have been rearrested and will face prosecution.

The matter first came to public attention after a viral video recorded by Lucky Orukpe, President of the Traders Welfare Union of Nigeria, showed the child with injuries allegedly caused by physical abuse.

In the footage, the child's mother, identified as Beauty, allegedly admitted to burning part of the girl's lower body with melted nylon as punishment for what she described as misconduct.

Orukpe said he reported the case to the police after it was brought to his attention, taking the child and her mother to the station before alerting the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs, which later took over the case.

He said the suspects were initially released from custody, after which the child's mother reportedly relocated from her residence, complicating efforts to monitor the situation.

He added that the police, with his assistance, later traced and rearrested the suspects, allowing investigations to resume.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Women Affairs rescued the child and placed her under protective care while investigations got underway.

Although the mother reportedly claimed she carried out the act while her husband was away, some residents alleged that the stepfather had restrained the child during the incident.

Authorities also reportedly discovered older injury marks on different parts of the girl's body, raising concerns that the alleged abuse may have occurred repeatedly over a prolonged period.

Speaking on the case, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, explained that the suspects had initially been released from police custody because there was no official record showing why they had been brought to the station.

"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," she said.

Abdallah added that the victim has since been placed under protective care, where she is receiving medical treatment, psychosocial support, temporary shelter and other forms of assistance to aid her recovery.

She said the ministry would continue monitoring the child's welfare as investigations continue, and would take all necessary steps to support her rehabilitation.

The allegations remain under investigation as government officials and law enforcement agencies continue working to establish the facts and ensure justice for the victim.