The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Adewale Ajao, has ordered the immediate arrest of a woman alleged to have subjected a 14-year-old girl to starvation and physical abuse in Abuja.
The directive comes after a disturbing video surfaced online showing the girl, identified as Bashariya, narrating her ordeal in Hausa.
According to the footage, monitored on Monday by our correspondent, Bashariya, originally from Zamfara State, was taken to Abuja after her parents fled their hometown due to incessant bandit attacks.
They sought refuge in an Internally Displaced Persons camp in the Gwiwa Eka area.
In the viral clip, the teenager revealed that she was hired as a maid and taken to Abuja under the promise of a better life.
Instead, she claimed she was starved, beaten, and even burnt as a form of punishment.
Visible bruises and burn marks were seen on various parts of her body, prompting public outrage and calls for justice on social media.
Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that the Commissioner of Police had taken swift action upon seeing the video.
She said the Divisional Police Officers across the FCT had been directed to locate and arrest the woman responsible for the abuse.
“Although the incident was not initially reported to the police, the Commissioner of Police, Adewale Ajao, has directed all Divisional Police Officers within the FCT to urgently identify and arrest the woman involved,” Adeh stated.
She continued, “The CP strongly condemns any act of child abuse. He emphasises that anyone who knows they are not capable of properly caring for a child should refrain from taking on such responsibility. No child should be made to suffer such cruelty.”
Adeh further urged residents of the FCT and beyond to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abusive behaviour to law enforcement.
“When you see something, say something. Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of every child in our communities,” she added.
Credit: punchng.com
