Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have rescued a 12 year old girl who was locked up for 2 years and subjected to inhumane treatment by her father on the accusation that she was a witch, while the father and step mother have been arrested for child deprivation and abuse.
The arrest was made on Tuesday, 10th September, 2024 at Ikot Ukporo Idoro Village in Ibiono Ibom LGA of Akwa Ibom State following a complaint received from the Ministry of Justice about the suspect subjecting his daughter to inhumane treatment.
The suspect, *Mr Ndifreke Sunday Etok*, ‘M’ 38years, and his wife, who is a step mother to the girl, Mrs. Victory Fortune Sunday ‘F’ 28 years admitted to locking up the child but added that he did it because she confessed to be a witch and responsible for his afflictions. He added that the girl disappears for weeks whenever she is set free.
In her remarks, the victim, *Miss Bright Fortune Sunday* narrated her ordeal stating that she was kept locked up in a dilapidated room, denied food, bathing and subjected to consistent beating from her step mother. She said that she was fed once in two days, allowed to bath a maximum of twice a month and denied education. She added that she confessed to being a witch so that the parents can cease beating her.
Parading the suspects before newsmen, *Comdt Eluwade Eluyemi* stated that the despicable act contravenes Chapter 4 of the *1999 Constitution* of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which guarantees the right to dignity of every Nigerian. He condemned what the young girl was subjected to, describing it as barbaric, callous and heinous. He warned parents to desist from such acts under whatever excuse or guise, advising that rehabilitation homes exist to attend to suspected erratic behavior. The NSCDC boss pointed out that Akwa Ibom State has a free and compulsory education policy up to SS3 and emphasized that it is an offense to deny children education.
The girl has been handed over to *Gender Based Violence Shelter Home* for care and rehabilitation, while the suspects will be handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency for necessary action.
The attention of members of the public is hereby drawn to Section 10 of the *Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2020* which states that:
_*A person who denies another person of their freedom by locking them up, hiding or isolating them etc without the permission of the court has committed an offense and he/she will go to prison for 2years or pay a fine of 500,000 naira or both*._
Same applies to a person who attempts, conspires or aids the act of deprivation of personal liberty.