A 9-year-old girl is dead after her stepmother allegedly beat her to death in Enugu and the government wants justice fast.
A stepmother is now in police custody in Enugu State following the death of her nine-year-old stepdaughter a case that has sparked outrage from both the state government and the public.
Mrs. Ogechi John, originally from Oderiko in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was arrested on Monday morning. She is accused of beating her stepdaughter, Miss Ogechi Amanda John, to death at their home in Nchatancha, located in the Emene area of Enugu metropolis.
According to neighbours, the incident happened around 3pm on Sunday. Those living nearby told authorities that young Amanda had endured repeated and brutal mistreatment from her stepmother long before her death.
The story quickly reached the state government, which wasted no time responding.
Mrs. Ngozi Enih, Enugu State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, spoke on behalf of the administration and she made the government's position crystal clear.
"The Governor Peter Mbah Administration has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, let alone child homicide," she said. "So, we swung into action on learning about this tragedy to ensure that the suspect was arrested."
But she stressed that the arrest alone is not enough.
"We will be pressing for thorough and expedited investigation to ensure that justice is not just done, but done really fast," she added.
The Commissioner also sent a strong warning to anyone who might consider harming a child within the state's borders.
"Nobody should take another's life — and certainly not the life of any child in Enugu State. We condemn it in totality," she stated firmly.
The case has once again raised deep concerns about the welfare of children living with step-parents, and calls are growing for stronger child protection enforcement across the state.
Police investigations are ongoing.
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