Communities across Wukari Local Council of Taraba State have called for justice following the alleged inhumanity meted out to an eight-year-old boy, Julius Chinecherim.

The boy, who is currently writhing in pain, was allegedly brutalised by his 42-year-old step-grandmother, Ngozi Onwuasolaya, who reportedly burnt his lips with firewood as punishment for misplacing N500.

The Guardian learned that the incident occurred last week; however, at press time, it continued to generate outrage and tension within the Wukari council.
Deeply disturbed by the attack, the community members urged the state government and child protection organisations to intervene immediately. Eyewitnesses who spoke with The Guardian said the step-grandmother’s action left many people questioning the motivation behind the act.

The communities called for immediate justice, emphasising the need for measures to protect vulnerable children. Confirming the incident, the council Chairman, Samaila Dauda, announced that authorities quickly responded. He said the young boy received medical treatment at the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Wukari.

Assuring that the culprit would be charged in court soon, he said: “It is true that an eight-year-old boy, Julius Chinecherim, had his lips burned by his grandfather’s wife. I quickly ordered her arrest, and the boy has been receiving treatment at the Federal University Teaching Hospital Wukari.”
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