Edo rescues 11-year-old girl after viral abuse video, orders arrest of mother, stepfather

The Edo State Government has taken an 11-year-old girl into protective custody after a viral video allegedly exposed severe physical abuse inflicted by her mother in the New Benin area of Benin City.

The victim, identified as Rejoice Godswill, is currently under the care of the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, where she is receiving medical treatment, psychosocial support and temporary shelter while investigations into the incident continue.

The case came to public attention after a video recorded by human rights activist, Comrade Lucky Orukpe, circulated online, showing the visibly injured child.

In the footage, the girl’s mother, identified as Beauty, allegedly admitted to burning part of the child’s buttocks with melted nylon cellophane as punishment for what she described as stubborn behaviour.

Following the report, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, ordered the immediate arrest of the child’s mother and stepfather to facilitate a full investigation into the allegations.

The two suspects are currently being held at the New Benin Divisional Police Station and are expected to be transferred to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation.

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According to the mother’s account in the viral video, she carried out the act while her husband was away from home. She claimed he confronted her after returning home and discovering what had happened.

However, some residents of the neighbourhood have alleged that the child’s stepfather assisted in restraining Rejoice while the mother inflicted the injuries. Authorities said the allegations remain under investigation and no conclusions have yet been reached.

Officials also disclosed that the child bore several older injury marks on different parts of her body, raising concerns that the alleged abuse may have been ongoing. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the previous injuries as part of the wider probe.

The Ministry commended Comrade Lucky Orukpe for bringing the incident to its attention, describing his intervention as a timely contribution to the protection of vulnerable children and other humanitarian causes.

Reaffirming the Edo State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on child abuse, Commissioner Abdallah warned parents, guardians and caregivers against subjecting children to violence, cruelty or any form of inhumane treatment.

She stressed that every child is entitled to a safe and protective environment and assured the public that the Ministry would continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure that anyone found culpable faces the full weight of the law.

The Ministry also appealed to members of the public to promptly report cases of child abuse, neglect or exploitation to the appropriate authorities, emphasising that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility.