In a petition written to the National Human Rights Commission by an NGO, Justice Development and Peace Commission of the Ekiti Catholic Diocese, a lady identified as Mrs. Esther Abgundu, a native of the Gwer Local Government Area of Benue State, was accused of reportedly inserting a hot knife in her five-year-old niece’s private part. It was gathered that incident which occurred on November 26, was carried out after Esther accused the 5-year-old girl of eating her baby’s food.
“On November 26, 2017, the victim was babysitting the baby of the respondent (Abgundu) and in the course of feeding the baby, the victim ate a spoon of the baby’s food. This annoyed the respondent and she inserted pepper into her niece’s private parts. The respondent further put a knife in the fire and inserted the hot knife into the victim’s private parts. She also beat up the girl and told her not to cry” the petition read in part.”
The Police was also accused of releasing the suspect who now boastfully roams the streets of Ijelu-Ekiti, by the NGO’s Director, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade.
“The respondent was released barely few hours after her arrest and boastfully roamed the streets of Ijelu-Ekiti freely as if nothing happened.
We hereby urge you, as bastion of hope and front runner in protection of human rights, to use your good offices and intervene in this matter of cruelty against the victim by ensuring that the respondent is brought to book to serve as a deterrent to whoever still engages in acts of inhuman and degrading treatment to others, especially to children.”
However the State’s Police PRO, Alberto Adeyemi, said the incident is still under investigation, as he claimed suspects found guilty will be prosecuted.
“The parents of the victim have been invited to the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti. We will ensure justice in the matter. Anyone indicted in the investigation will be prosecuted.”