Akwa Ibom dad tortures daughter for two years over witcraft claims

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have rescued a teenage girl, Bright Sunday, who was allegedly tortured by her father for two years.

The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Uyo, the state capital, on Saturday, adding that the 12-year-old girl was allegedly locked up in a dilapidated building by her father.

Eluwade said the victim was locked up by her father, Ndifreke Sunday, in connivance with her 28-year-old stepmother, Victory Sunday, both of whom hail from Ikot Ukporo Idoro Village in the Ibiono Ibom local government area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State.

“The arrest was made on Tuesday, September 10, 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,” Eluwade said.

“The suspects admitted to locking up the child because she confessed to being a witch and responsible for his afflictions.

“The victim will be handed over to the Gender-Based Violence Shelter Home for care and rehabilitation.

“We condemn the act of subjecting the young girl to inhumane treatment, as it is barbaric, callous, and heinous.

“Parents are hereby warned to desist from such acts, under whatever guise, as the agency of government will not relent in apprehending offenders.”

According to the NSCDC boss in Akwa Ibom State, the suspects will be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency for necessary action.

The young girl also shared her ordeal with reporters, lamenting that she was locked up in a dilapidated room, denied food and bathing, and subjected to consistent beatings from her stepmother.

Bright added that she was allowed to eat only once in two days and permitted to bathe a maximum of two times a month, while she was also denied an education.