The Enugu State Government and the police have arrested a woman accused of beating her 9-year-old stepdaughter to death in Emene, Enugu metropolis.
Mrs. Ogechi John, from Oderiko in Ikwo LGA, Ebonyi State, was arrested on Monday morning over the death of her stepdaughter, Miss Ogechi Amanda John.
Neighbours said the incident happened around 3 p.m. on Sunday at their residence in Nchatancha, Emene. They alleged the girl had faced constant maltreatment from her stepmother.
Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, said the state government moved quickly after learning of the incident.
“It is on record that the Peter Mbah administration has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, let alone child homicide,” Enih said.
“We swung into action to ensure the suspect was arrested. But it doesn’t end there. We will press for a thorough and expedited investigation to ensure justice is not just done, but done fast.”
“Nobody should take another’s life, and certainly not the life of any child in Enugu State. We condemn it in totality,” she added.
The government said it would follow the case to ensure prosecution and accountability.
