… Victim Suffers Vision Loss in One Eye, Police Investigate
A 13-year-old girl, Favour Nuhu, has been rescued by a human rights organization in Imo State after allegedly suffering grievous abuse at the hands of her guardian, identified as Mrs. Joyce Onyinye.
The young girl, reportedly from Kaduna State, sustained a serious injury to her right eye—allegedly inflicted with a laptop cord by her 30-year-old guardian. Medical examinations at the State University Medical Centre, Owerri, confirmed that the eye has been disfigured and she can no longer see with it.
Chidiebube Okeoma, founder of Stand For Humanity Foundation, said the case came to light after concerned neighbours raised the alarm about the girl’s condition. Upon further investigation, the girl confided in them, detailing how she was being dehumanized and beaten, and begged them not to inform her guardian out of fear of further violence.
Following the tip-off, Okeoma reported the matter to the State Police Command in Owerri. Officers were dispatched to the Green Health Estate in Ohii where the girl resided with the suspect, but both had allegedly fled. However, shortly after returning to the police headquarters, the guardian and the girl were found—suggesting they may have gotten wind of the developing case.
The girl, in her statement to the State Criminal Investigation Department, confirmed that the injury was inflicted by her guardian. Although Mrs. Onyinye admitted to flogging the child, she denied responsibility for the damaged eye.
Police ordered immediate medical attention for the victim. The child has since been enrolled in the Imo State free health insurance scheme for vulnerable children, with the intervention of Dr. Uche Ewelike, Executive Secretary of the State Health Insurance Agency. She was admitted at the State University Medical Centre and referred to Camel Eye Clinic, Tetlow, for further specialist care.
The guardian, a nursing mother, has been granted administrative bail but is under obligation to report to the police as the investigation continues.
Okeoma condemned all forms of child abuse, urging guardians to return children to their families if they can no longer provide care, rather than resorting to violence.
“No child deserves to be dehumanized. We will not relent until we end this menace,” he affirmed.
