11-year-old Margaret, a househelp to the Nwachukwus of Vom, near Jos, has been confirmed dead at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) as a result of wounds she sustained due to torture by her guardians.
Daily Trust learnt that Margaret sustained wounds on both sides of her buttocks and her back but was left untreated until the wounds became infected hence it led to health complications.
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The late Margaret, Daily Trust learnt, was neglected by her guardians in spite of the wounds, however, she was eventually helped by a neighbour who took her to a private hospital in Vom for her wounds to be treated. Sadly, due to the infected state of the injury she sustained, the hospital referred the girl to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) where she died.
Mrs Nnemeka Nwachukwu who has been alleged to have inflicted the wounds on the teenager has been arrested by the police.
Mrs Grace Pam, the Plateau state director of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust said, “The housemaid had been a victim of prolonged violent abuse by the family that took her as help in Vom, Jos South Local Government of Plateau State.
“I got wind of the death of the housemaid through my source in JUTH, I went there and confirmed the incident myself. My office has discovered that the victim was trafficked from Kebbi State and handed over to her guardians in Jos as a housemaid.”
Pam warned parents to endeavour to take care of their children and protect them from being trafficked for pecuniary gains.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Plateau State Command, DSP Alfred Alabo said, “The case is under investigation, the woman involved has been transferred to the state CID for a thorough investigation and eventual prosecution.”
