Blessing Emmanuel, a secondary school teacher, has been taken into custody by the Imo State Police Command on charges of abusing her 12-year-old stepdaughter, Amarachi.
Tuesday’s arrest happened as a result of a complaint made to the Owerri Area Command headquarters by activist journalist Chidiebube Okeoma, who is based in Owerri.
The plight of the victim came to Okeoma’s attention when two local women, Eunice and Amarachi, spotted her selling sachet water on the streets with visible injuries.
The girl was seen with machete cuts, bruises, and scars in a widely shared video on social media, which Okeoma posted.
On Thursday, Okeoma announced that he had brought Amarachi to Umuguma General Hospital in Owerri, where she is presently undergoing emergency medical attention, confirming the teacher’s arrest.
He said, “Amarachi Emmanuel is 12 years old. Her mother died in 2018, and her father married the suspect in 2019. They live in the Nekede area of Owerri. The girl and her two siblings have been out of school for years now.
“The woman commanded them to be hawking sachet water for her every day and be making returns to her while their mates are in schools.”
Amarachi claims that her stepmother abuses them on a regular basis.
He stated, “They sell pure water from morning until night and often go to bed hungry. The latest beating occurred because she cooked rice and ate without her permission.”
The teacher was arrested right away after Okeoma brought the girl to the police headquarters following the incident.
In addition, he signed Amarachi up for the Imo State Health Insurance Scheme for Children in Vulnerability and is fighting for her rights.
He added, “I have involved the National Human Rights Commission, Owerri Municipal Council Welfare Department, and the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
“Many Human Rights Organizations have also contacted me in regards to this case. The Owerri branch of the Nigeria Bar Association has also contacted me. Various media organizations are interested in the girl’s matter now.
“Battering of children has no place in the 21st century. Police are investigating, and my request is that the woman be arraigned. The woman turned the girl and her siblings into slaves, simply because their mother is late and their father is medically unstable.”
Okeoma plans to secure education for Amarachi and her siblings and seeks to provide them with decent housing, as they currently live in poor conditions.
According to him, Amarachi has cuts and burns on her stomach, genitalia, thighs, arms, and eyes.
“Little Amarachi Emmanuel needs all of us now. Let us tell her that humanity is not wicked. There are compassionate Nigerians all over,” he said.
“The state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, had given a directive that the right things be done in the matter,” said Henry Okoye, a spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, in reference to the reported developments.
“When investigations are concluded, the police would do the needful to ensure that the victim gets justice.”
