The Edo State Government has confirmed the rearrest of the mother and stepfather of an 11-year-old girl who was allegedly abused in Benin City, saying both suspects will be prosecuted as investigations into the case continue.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, said the ministry is committed to ensuring the child gets justice.
Abdallah explained that the suspects were initially released from police custody because there was no official record indicating why they had been detained. She, however, disclosed that they have since been rearrested and will face prosecution.
“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.
The commissioner also revealed that the victim is currently under protective care, where she is receiving medical treatment, psychosocial support, temporary shelter, and other rehabilitation services. She added that the ministry will continue to monitor the girl’s welfare throughout the investigation and provide the necessary support for her recovery.
Speaking on the case, President of the Traders Welfare Union of Nigeria, Lucky Orukpe, said he alerted the police after learning about the alleged abuse. He explained that he accompanied the child and her mother to the police station before notifying the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs, which later took over the matter.
Orukpe said the suspects were initially released, after which the child’s mother reportedly relocated, making it difficult to keep track of the case. He added that with his assistance, the police eventually traced and rearrested the suspects, allowing investigations to resume.
The incident gained widespread attention after a video recorded by Orukpe went viral, showing the young girl with multiple injuries allegedly inflicted through 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.
Following the public outcry, the Ministry of Women Affairs rescued the child and placed her in protective custody. While the mother reportedly claimed she acted while her husband was away, some residents alleged that the stepfather restrained the girl during the abuse.
Authorities also reportedly discovered older scars and injury marks on different parts of the child’s body, raising fears that she may have suffered repeated abuse over an extended period. Investigations remain ongoing as government officials and law enforcement agencies work to establish the full facts of the case and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
