The Imo State Police Command has taken into custody a 38-year-old businesswoman for the alleged brutal torture of her six-year-old female domestic helper. The suspect, identified as Juliet Igwe, is accused of inflicting severe burns on the child's private parts using a candle flame.
Horrific Details of the Alleged Torture
According to the police, the arrest followed actionable intelligence received by operatives at the Ideato North Divisional Police Headquarters. The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Henry Okoye, paraded the suspect before journalists on December 4, 2025, revealing the gruesome nature of the injuries.
Okoye stated that the investigation revealed the suspect did not stop at burning the minor's private parts. She also allegedly used scalding hot water to peel the skin off the child's two hands and applied hot candle wax to other parts of her body. The victim, simply identified as Onyinyechi, suffered grievous harm from the sustained abuse.
Suspect's Shocking Confession and Motive
When confronted by the press, Juliet Igwe did not deny causing the injuries. She confessed to the acts but offered a bewildering explanation for her behavior. The suspect claimed she was unaware that using boiling water and candle wax on the young girl would cause such serious damage.
In a attempt to justify her actions, Igwe accused the six-year-old maid of stealing meat from her cooking pot. She asserted that her extreme punishment was meant to serve as a deterrent, intended to "forestall future recurrence" of the alleged theft.
Legal Consequences and Next Steps
SP Henry Okoye confirmed that the suspect is now in police custody and will face the full weight of the law. The police spokesperson emphasized that Juliet Igwe will be charged and arraigned in a court of law promptly. The case has sparked outrage and drawn attention to the ongoing issue of child rights abuse and the treatment of domestic staff, particularly minors, in the region.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in domestic settings and underscores the vigilance required from communities and law enforcement to protect them.
