By Patrick Ochei
The Delta State Child Rights Implementation Committee has rescued a young girl of 17 (name withheld), used for house help work by a family residing along Okpanam Road, Okpanam in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State.
Several complaints got to the Committee’s Chairman, Mrs. Kevwe Agas on how a teenager was regularly being maltreated by her guardian.
Two investigators, Barr. Awele Ideal and Comrade Patrick Ochei were detailed as members of the Committee to investigate the matter and take immediate action as deemed appropriate.
Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the girl was indeed abused but couldn’t admit so out of fear.
Further interrogation, she admitted to be taken to her parents if only she could be given an opportunity to continue with her studies and write her forthcoming exams.
While the madam was being defensive, the girl admitted everything the woman accused her of doing, including stealing, destroying house property and posing danger to the family.
But when one of the investigators excused the girl to downstairs while the other engaged the madam, what was later discovered was horrible and agonising.
It was discovered that the girl lived like a dog in the house, sleeping under the staircase with her belongings kept there without being in a bag let alone a box.
Eventually, the investigators made effort against the desire of the guardian, and retrieved her from the family after consulting with the chairman of the Committee.
Inside the car while leaving the house that night, the girl was able to open up to the ill treatments she was subjected to in the house, expressing the joy that she was going to go back to her original people.
She has been reconciled with her parents in Abraka while effort is being made to transfer her school to Abraka to enable her continue with her studies.