Foundation rescues two kids from domestic violence in Bayelsa

Two underage girls, aged two and five were yesterday rescued from the hands of their mother, who has been abusing them serially, by an advocacy group known as DO Foundation in Bayelsa State.

The two kids were rescued after a concerned neighbour reported the matter to them along the Imiringi area of Ogbia Local Government Area of the state. Bayelsa in May 2017 became the 23rd state in the country to ensure the legal protection of children from all forms of violence, through the domestication of the Child Right Act. But ironically, the state ranks among the highest in domestic violence against children, teenage pregnancy, rape and defilement of minors among other crimes against children.

According to the foundation, the two rescued children were severely and severally abused and assaulted by their mother, who escaped arrest after the rescue of the victims.Speaking to newsmen, founder of the foundation and chairman of Sagbama branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Dise Ogbise-Erhisere, said the mother of the children had consistently violated the kids.

According to neighbours, the mother had been assaulting the children with impunity and when challenged had always resorted to violent exchange with her neighbours. Ogbise-Erhisere said a concerned neighbour intervened but was injured in the process by the mother of the kids as the woman threw a stone at the man’s eyes causing severe damage and pain to the man. She said the man reported the matter to the police while the woman escaped before the police could reach the scene.

Dise Ogbise-Erhisere has since taken the little children into protective custody, just as she expressed worry that the children had to stay with neighbours for two days without proper attention.The NBA Sagbama boss called on members of the public to look out for all cases of human rights violation and speak out in order to save the lives of children.