OWERRI — A 13-year-old girl, Favour Nuhu, has been rescued in Imo State after allegedly losing vision in her right eye from a violent assault by her guardian, 30-year-old Mrs. Joyce Onyinye.
The disturbing incident was brought to light by the Stand For Humanity Foundation, a human rights group based in the state. The girl, originally from Kaduna State, is currently undergoing urgent medical treatment at the Imo State University Medical Centre in Owerri.
Founder of the foundation, Chidiebube Okeoma, revealed that preliminary medical reports confirmed the girl can no longer see with her right eye. According to Favour’s statement to detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), the injury was inflicted with a laptop cord by her guardian.
The foundation was alerted by concerned neighbors who reported that the girl had confided in them about frequent abuse but was too afraid to report it. Acting swiftly, the foundation collaborated with the Imo State Police Command and traced Favour to Green Health Estate in Ohii. However, the house was empty upon arrival.
“By the time we got there with police officers, they had vanished,” Okeoma recounted. “Fortunately, they were later found at the police headquarters—possibly after Onyinye caught wind of our visit.”
During interrogation, Favour again accused Onyinye of causing the eye injury. The guardian, however, admitted to flogging the girl but denied damaging her eye. The police immediately facilitated medical care for the girl, who has now been enrolled in the State Health Insurance Agency’s free healthcare scheme for vulnerable children, thanks to Dr. Uche Ewelike, Executive Secretary of the agency.
Favour was subsequently referred to the State University Medical Centre and Camel Eye Clinic for specialist treatment.
Meanwhile, Onyinye, a nursing mother, has been released on administrative bail and instructed to remain available for further investigation.
Okeoma condemned the persistent cases of child abuse and urged guardians to seek alternative care options if they can no longer handle a child’s behavior. “If you cannot care for a child, return them to their biological parents. Violence is not a solution,” he stated. “We will not relent in the fight against child battering until justice is served for every victim.”
The Imo State Police Command has yet to issue a formal statement on the incident.