Stripping, battering of teenage girl condemnable act – Ebonyi Government

The Ebonyi State Government has reacted to the brutal treatment meted out to a 15-year-old girl, Chukwu Uzoamaka, in the state, by a man alleged to be her ‘uncle’ for allegedly having sex.

The government condemned the stripping and battering of Uzoamaka, stating that the naked images of the child splashed on newspaper pages are utterly condemnable.

This came after news made the rounds of the incident and the state Governor, David Umahi, had directed the police command to ensure that all the perpetrators be brought to book.

It would be recalled that the Junior Secondary School, JSS 2 student was allegedly stripped naked, dragged around on the ground and flogged under the orders of the Coordinator of Ohaozara Development Centre, Mr Ogbonnaya Ene Odi.

Following the governor’s order, the police swooped into action and arrested the Coordinator, Mr. Odi for his alleged role in the dehumanizing treatment meted out on the victim in Ohaozara local government area of the state.

Also arrested were the two yet-to-be named policemen who allegedly arrested and took part in the ill-treatment of the victim.

In a statement on Tuesday by Emma Anya, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor David Umahi, the government, said it had directed the police command to ensure that all the perpetrators, be they political appointees or not, were properly investigated with a view to bringing those guilty to justice.

According to the statement, “Ebonyi State Government condemns in totality, the inhuman treatment meted out to a minor, Miss Uzoamaka, Chukwu, by some people in Ohoazara LGA.

“Governor David Umahi will not in any way condone the violation of the rights of any Ebonyian, especially minors, by anyone be he in government or private sector.

“The pollicisation of this pitiful situation cannot benefit the little girl concerned nor the politicians parading her on national media.

“Government has already taken action to locate the minor in order to ensure that she is properly rehabilitated and made to overcome the trauma she has passed through.

“The naked images of the child splashed on newspaper pages are utterly condemnable.

“Government encourages the state police command to ensure a thorough investigation of the incident and bring to book, the suspects, some of whom are already in detention,” the statement added.