How Two Women Use 9-Year Old Girl To Beg For Alms After Inflicting Her With Wounds

The Lagos State Police Command in the FESTAC Town area of the state has arrested two women, Amadi and Mama Esther for allegedly physically abusing a nine-year-old girl, Joy Esemonu and used her to beg for alms afterwards.

It is believed that Amadi, poured a chemical substance on Joy which made her sustain injuries on different parts of her body.

PunchMetro gathered that Joy was subsequently led everyday by the suspect to a pedestrian bridge in the FESTAC area where she was made to beg for alms from passersby, and at the end of the trip the two women collect the money and share it between themselves.

Mama Esther is said to be a relation to the victim and had lured her from their village in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a social worker who cannot be named told corespondents:

“The girl lived in Port Harcourt with her parents. But last year, her mother handed her over to Mama Esther after the latter promised to support the family by taking the girl to Lagos. She said the girl would continue her education when they get to Lagos. However, when she brought her to Lagos, she decided to hand her over to Amadi, who she owed some money. The woman then decided to use her to beg. The girl said she noticed that Amadi would make her sleep before pouring a substance suspected to be chemical on her body. By the time she woke up and scratched the spots after feeling some pains, they would become sore. The woman would then bandaged the place and take her out for begging. She said whenever the injuries heal, she would make her sleep again and pour the chemical on her. The woman started with her bottoms and then her laps. She said such had happened about four different times.”

Joy narating her experience said that they lived in a slum in the Oyingbo area but the woman always took her to FESTAC to beg. She said that there were other girls in the area, although she couldn’t pin point the exact area. She also said that she had a younger sister, but she was living with another family that she didn’t know where that was.

The Director of OPD, Mrs. Salami Olubukola, condemned the action of the women, saying the state would ensure that justice was served saying:

“This is a despicable act and the height of man’s inhumanity to man which must be condemned by all. Lagos State will never condone child abuse and cruelty and we shall go to any length to protect our children from barbaric acts”

Mr. Joseph Famakin, who is the NAPTIP Lagos zonal coordinator said that girl was brought to them last Friday and was going through some psychological counseling and treatment