The Enugu State Government has announced the arrest of a woman, Mrs Ogechi John, over the alleged killing of her nine-year-old stepdaughter, Amanda John.
In a statement published on Governor Peter Mbah’s WhatsApp media platform on Monday, the suspect was identified as an indigene of Oderiko in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to the statement, Mrs John was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in connection with the death of the child, who was allegedly beaten to death at their residence in Nchatancha, Emene, in Enugu East Local Government Area.
The statement, citing accounts by neighbours, said the incident occurred around 3pm on Sunday. Residents alleged that the late Amanda had been subjected to repeated maltreatment by the suspect before the tragedy.
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Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Ngozi Enih, said the state government would ensure the suspect faced the full weight of the law.
“It is on record that the Governor Peter Mbah administration has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, let alone child homicide. We swung into action immediately upon learning of this tragedy to ensure the suspect was arrested,” Enih said.
The commissioner added that the government would closely monitor the legal process to ensure justice was served without delay.
“We will be pressing for a thorough and expedited investigation to ensure that justice is not just done, but done swiftly. Nobody should take another person’s life, especially that of a child in Enugu State. We condemn the act in totality,” she added.
The state government reiterated its commitment to protecting minors, warning that anyone involved in child abuse or violence would be prosecuted.
The suspect remains in police custody while investigations continue.
However, the statement did not disclose the police station handling the case or the specific cause of the child’s death.
