A 38-year-old nurse, Amarachukwu Happiness Nzekwe, has been arrested for allegedly burning her 13-year-old househelp with a hot pressing iron in Ezinifitte, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. Nzekwe, who confessed to the act, claimed that she did it to discipline the boy for allegedly stealing her money.
Nzekwe, who is the boy’s aunt, explained that she heated the pressing iron on a stove and pressed it against the child’s back after he refused to admit to the theft. The incident has sparked outrage, particularly as it was also revealed that the boy was often locked up without food.
“All the suffering I have been going through because of this boy,” Nzekwe told officials from the Anambra State Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare. “I didn’t plug the iron into electricity; I just placed it on the stove to discipline him.”
The case came to light after concerned neighbors alerted authorities, leading to Nzekwe’s arrest. The Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, condemned the abuse, vowing that such behavior would not be tolerated in Anambra State.
“This is unacceptable,” Obinabo said. “We will ensure that justice is served, and the rights of this child are protected.”
Nzekwe has since been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
