Why a Nigerian couple allegedly tried to starve their five-year-old daughter to death – Official
A couple in Anambra state, southeastern Nigeria, allegedly tried to starve their five-year-old daughter to death after calling her a witch.
The couple, Michael Wosu, 47, and Blessing, his 23-year-old wife, allegedly committed the act in Adazi-Ani, a community in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, where they reside .
Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, media aide to the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Ms Ikeanyionwu said the couple was arrested by the commissioner.
The media aide said the arrest followed a report to the commissioner from the council area chairman, Ikechukwu Ozoh, and Chinwe Uba, state coordinator of a group, the Ladies of the good governance.
Ms. Obinabo, while addressing the couple in her office, said her primary mission was to protect the rights of every child in Anambra State, Ms. Ikeanyionwu said.
The commissioner appreciated a resident, Ikenna Anoliefo, for saving the child and drawing the attention of the municipality authorities.
She vowed to prosecute the couple and others who commit such acts in the state.
"Deserve to die"
The couple, according to the statement, told the commissioner that they were starving their daughter in obedience to their anonymous pastor's prophecy that the girl was a witch.
They said they felt it was unnecessary to feed their daughter because, as a witch, she does not deserve to live.
READ ALSO: Police rescue kidnap victim, arrest two suspects in AnambraMother Blessing, from Akwa Ibom state in south-south Nigeria, said her daughter, through "her witchcraft", was responsible for the collapse of the his father's business.
She added that she also forced her daughter to sleep on a board because she frequently urinated and defecated on their bed.
The father, Mr. Wosu, a native of Rivers State, another South-South state, claimed he was not aware that his wife was abusing his daughter.
The child, the statement said, was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
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A couple in Anambra state, southeastern Nigeria, allegedly tried to starve their five-year-old daughter to death after calling her a witch.
The couple, Michael Wosu, 47, and Blessing, his 23-year-old wife, allegedly committed the act in Adazi-Ani, a community in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, where they reside .
Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, media aide to the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Ms Ikeanyionwu said the couple was arrested by the commissioner.
The media aide said the arrest followed a report to the commissioner from the council area chairman, Ikechukwu Ozoh, and Chinwe Uba, state coordinator of a group, the Ladies of the good governance.
Ms. Obinabo, while addressing the couple in her office, said her primary mission was to protect the rights of every child in Anambra State, Ms. Ikeanyionwu said.
The commissioner appreciated a resident, Ikenna Anoliefo, for saving the child and drawing the attention of the municipality authorities.
She vowed to prosecute the couple and others who commit such acts in the state.
"Deserve to die"
The couple, according to the statement, told the commissioner that they were starving their daughter in obedience to their anonymous pastor's prophecy that the girl was a witch.
They said they felt it was unnecessary to feed their daughter because, as a witch, she does not deserve to live.
READ ALSO: Police rescue kidnap victim, arrest two suspects in AnambraMother Blessing, from Akwa Ibom state in south-south Nigeria, said her daughter, through "her witchcraft", was responsible for the collapse of the his father's business.
She added that she also forced her daughter to sleep on a board because she frequently urinated and defecated on their bed.
The father, Mr. Wosu, a native of Rivers State, another South-South state, claimed he was not aware that his wife was abusing his daughter.
The child, the statement said, was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
Support PREMIUM TIMES’ honest and credible journalism
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