Officers of the Lagos State Police have on Sunday arrested Mrs. Glory Usoro for physically abusing her 11 years old niece (name withheld) with machete on her wrist and buttocks in Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.
The perpetrator was said to have inflicted the little girl with grievous injury on May 23rd at their residence in Gbetu area of Ibeju-Lekki for being stubborn. She was, however, arrested and detained on Sunday May 24th by officers from the Elemoro Police Station.
Speaking to LagosToday exclusively, the Child Protection Network (CPN) Field Officer, Mary-Anne Adegoke Mapenzi, expressed that the perpetrator, who is in her 30s, showed no remorse for physically abusing the child with old and fresh scars as indisputable evidence.
According to Mapenzi, sequel to the arrest of Usoro, the Christianah Fate Foundation and the Pukiche Girl Child Foundation’s Ms. Bernice Ede got a distressed call and reported the case to the Human Rights Unit of the Elemoro station, who went into swift action.
Mapenzi added that a concerned resident of Gbetu had called to report the emergency of the case with pleads to rescue the little girl.
“The caller accused the aunt of slashing the child’s wrist and buttocks with a machete, strangling her with her bare hands several times, leaves the injury unattended to. He also told us the woman sends her on crazy errands regardless the time or distance,” she narrated.
While the survivor is being treated medically, the perpetrator has been detained. Mapenzi noted, “She will be transferred to Gender Unit Ikeja. But the husband, who has not been around, has pleaded for the sake of their four year old child”.
Speaking still, the child expert said although the husband of the perpetrator, Raphael Usoro, claimed to be oblivious of the abuses due to his work, has promised that the child would not be harmed henceforth and would be returned to her parents in Benin city, Edo State.
Mapenzi stated: “CPN Alausa said there is no orphanage to keep the child now due to the pandemic without authorisation from Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD). She is being kept at the police station in the Human Rights Office.”
Now, a resident and eye witness, who spoke on condition of anonymous, described Usoro as a notorious child abuser in the community. “Since I moved into the place, I have seen the way she knocks and beats that little girl constantly”.
Accordingly, the resident narrated an ordeal where he almost confronted the perpetrator after the disheartening way she beat up the little girl but was dissuaded. “She told a neighbour she suspected the child of having sexual intercourse with her husband. Can you imagine?”
Following the arrest of the Usoro, the eyewitness lauded CPN and the Lagos police and pleaded for the child’s safety. “I’m happy she has been arrested. Please, let justice prevail. Free this little girl from the claws of this woman. She has been through a lot”.
Meanwhile, CPN alongside the police are actively attending to the case. Mapenzi assured the public that the case had been transferred to the Gender Unit, Ikeja for further prosecution.
She, however, pleaded with parents to stop giving their little children to guardians or relatives. “If you must give your child to someone, ensure you visit the child often to monitor the care”.
Mapenzi further warned women and all guardians including parents to desist from abusing children or face the law.
“We will arrest and prosecute anyone found guilty. That is why we are calling on residents of the state to report such abusive cases to CPN Alausa online or nearest police station and save a child”.
