Imo State Police Command has arrested Mrs. Lilian Obioha of Works Layout, Owerri, for the alleged repeated maltreatment of her 7-year-old household help, Gift Onyebuchi.

The arrest followed a written petition submitted by Mr Joseph Ezem of the same address who came to the station with concerned neighbours and representatives of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and reported the physical abuse of the child by the suspect.

Following the report, operatives from the Area Command Owerri Metropolis arrested Mrs. Obioha. She was interviewed under caution, during which she admitted to burning the lips and body of the child with a hot electric iron for telling lies.

The victim was taken to the Police Clinic, Owerri, for medical attention and proper care while the suspect has been arraigned in Magistrate Court 12, Owerri, on charges of child abuse and assault occasioning harm and has been remanded in the Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, strongly condemns the incident. He restates the Command’s firm commitment to protecting vulnerable persons, especially children, from abuse. He assures the public that anyone involved in harming minors will be fully investigated and prosecuted.