A 47-year-old father, Mr Michael Wosu, and his 23-year-old wife, Blessing, residing at Adazi-Ani in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, are in police custody in Awka, for starving their five-year-old child of food for days.
Michael, who hails from Rivers State and his wife from Akwa Ibom State, were said to be obeying their pastor’s prophecy that the five-year-old is a witch, hence, does not deserve to live.
The couple were immediately arrested and handed over to the police after the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, was alerted to the development.
A statement by Obinabo: ‘s Media Aide, Chidinmma Ikeanyionwu, on Thursday, stated that the commissioner received the report of the incident through the Transition Committee Chairman of Anaocha LGA, Mr. Gerald Ozoh, and the state coordinator of Ladies of Good Governance, Mrs. Chinwe Uba.
While addressing the culprits at her office in Awka, Obinabo noted that her primary assignment is to protect the rights of every child in the state whether from the state or not and assured that she won’t let the perpetrators go free.
She commended those who raised the alarm towards the rescuing of the child and called on other individuals to always speak out against child abuse.
The statement read, “On their part, the culprits said that they are not responsible for the girl’s starvation because they are only obeying their pastor’s prophecy which is that the five-year-old is a witch, hence do not deserve to live.
“Blessing went further to say that she also subjected the young kid to sleeping on a plank due to her constant pooing and peeing on her body.
“She went further to say that the five-year-old is responsible for all her husband’s downfall in business.
“Meanwhile, the husband denied having knowledge of the ill-treatment meted out on the child.
“The culprits are still in police custody while the child is receiving treatment at a hospital in Awka.”
