Woman Injures 10-year-old House Help with Hot Water, Iron

Matilda Omonaiye/

Police on Sunday narrated how a 36-year-old mother of four used hot water and electric iron to inflict injuries on her 10-year-old maid.

Police said Nkeiruka Ngwu “mentally and physically abused” Chioma Samuel at their residence on 47 Ogundana Street, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

According to police spokesman, SP Chike Oti, the suspect last Wednesday used hot iron to cause grievous injury on the victim’s hands and legs and also poured hot water on her, which scalded her skin.

Oti said police were alerted to the victim’s condition by vigilant parents at the school the suspect’s children attend.

Police said the suspect brought the victim from Umuoju Ngwu in Abia State in January after her father’s death with a promise to take care of her.

The suspect is expected to be charged to court on Monday.

A statement by Oti reads: “Rather than keeping the promise of good life she made to the poor girl before she was handed over to her, Nkeiruka Ngwu made life a living hell for the child. She was mentally pand physically abused with many injury marks to show for it. Her latest tale of woes was recorded on Wednesday 7th of March, 2018 when the suspect allegedly used a well heated clothes iron to cause grievous injury on the victim’s hands and legs. She also poured hot water on her which scalded her skin.

“However, on Thursday 8 March, 2018, Nkeiru’s cup of iniquity got filled when she brought her children to a private school located somewhere in Ikeja. Unfortunately for her, the prying eyes of other mothers who came to the same school to drop off their kids noticed the gaping wounds on the upper and lower limbs of the victim, who accompanied the suspect to the school.

“After questioning the girl, they waited for her madam, who had gone to drop her kids in their different classrooms. When she finished and was about to drive off, she was confronted by these women who nearly mobbed her. They were calmed by some teachers who heard their piercing voices that rent the air. The women told the suspect to take the girl to a hospital or else they would petition the Commissioner of Police.

“In spite of their warning to report her to the authorities, Mrs Nkeiruka Ngwu, like the proverbial dog that wouldn’t hearken to its master’s clarion call when death is lurking around the corner, stubbornly came to the school on Friday 9th March, 2018, accompanied by the child victim whose wounds were manifestly untreated.

“On seeing that their warnings were taken for granted, the women made good their promise to call the attention of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State to the matter. The CP immediately ordered the arrest of the woman and directed the Gender Section of the Command to take the child-victim to the police hospital for proper treatment. They are to also ensure that the girl is fed very well until the Social Welfare Department of the Lagos State Government come for the her.

“Investigation into the case is in progress, while the adult offender would have her day in the court of law tomorrow Monday 12th March, 2018.”

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