The Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has taken 11-year-old Rejoice Godswill into protective custody following a viral video that exposed severe abuse by her mother and stepfather in the New Benin area of Benin City. The video, recorded by human rights activist Comrade Lucky Orukpe, showed the child with visible injuries and featured her mother, identified as Beauty, admitting to burning part of the girl's buttocks with melted nylon cellophane as punishment for what she described as stubborn behavior.
Immediate Government Response
Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, directed the arrest of the child's mother and stepfather to facilitate a thorough investigation. The suspects are currently held at the New Benin Divisional Police Station and are expected to be transferred to the Edo State Police Command for further inquiry. The Ministry has since placed the child in protective custody, where she is receiving medical care, psychosocial support, and temporary shelter while investigations continue.
Commissioner Commends Activist, Warns Against Child Abuse
Hon. Abdallah praised Comrade Orukpe for his commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and advancing humanitarian causes. She reaffirmed the Edo State Government's zero-tolerance stance on child abuse and warned parents, guardians, and caregivers against subjecting children to any form of violence, cruelty, or inhumane treatment. "Every child has the right to grow up in a safe, secure, and protective environment," she stressed, assuring the public that the Ministry would work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.
Mother's Account and Allegations of Stepfather's Involvement
According to the mother's account in the viral video, she carried out the act while her husband was away from home. She claimed he confronted her after learning of the incident. However, some residents of the neighborhood alleged that the child's stepfather assisted in restraining Rejoice while the mother inflicted the injuries. The Ministry noted that the allegations remain under police investigation.
Evidence of Previous Abuse
The child was observed to have several old injury marks on different parts of her body, raising concerns about possible previous incidents of abuse. Authorities said these findings would form part of the ongoing investigation. The Ministry also called on members of the public to promptly report cases of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the appropriate authorities, emphasizing that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility.
