By OSAYI AGHAHOWA

The Edo Government says the mother and stepfather of an 11-year-old girl allegedly abused in Benin have been rearrested and will face prosecution, following renewed investigations into the case, state authorities disclosed Friday.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Eugenia Abdallah, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin, saying the ministry remained committed to justice.

Abdallah explained that the suspects were initially released from police custody because there was no official police record indicating the reason they had been brought to the station.

She, however, confirmed that the suspects had been rearrested and would face prosecution, stressing that the ministry would pursue the matter to ensure accountability and protection for the victim.

“The suspects were released because nobody recorded why they were brought to the station. However, they have been rearrested and the ministry will prosecute both the mother and stepfather.

“We are determined to ensure that justice is served,” Abdallah added, noting that the government would continue working with relevant agencies to safeguard the child’s rights and welfare.

The commissioner said the victim, had been placed under protective care, where she was receiving medical treatment, psychosocial support, temporary shelter and other interventions for recovery.

She added that the ministry would continue monitoring the child’s welfare and wellbeing while investigations progressed, assuring that every necessary measure would be taken to support rehabilitation efforts.

In another interview with NAN, the President of the Traders Welfare Union of Nigeria, Mr Lucky Orukpe, said he took the child and her mother to police.

Orukpe said he reported the matter after it was brought to his attention and subsequently contacted the Edo Ministry of Women Affairs, which assumed responsibility for the case.

He said the suspects were initially released from custody, after which the child’s mother reportedly relocated from her previous residence, creating challenges for those monitoring developments in the matter.

According to Orukpe, police later traced the suspects with his assistance, resulting in their rearrest and enabling authorities to continue investigations into the alleged abuse allegations.

NAN reports that the case attracted public attention after a viral video recorded by Orukpe showed the child with injuries allegedly linked to physical abuse and mistreatment.

In the video, the child’s mother, identified as Beauty, allegedly admitted burning part of the girl’s lower body with melted nylon cellophane as punishment for perceived misconduct.

The ministry subsequently rescued the child and placed her under protective care, while relevant authorities commenced investigations and interventions aimed at ensuring her safety and recovery.

While the mother reportedly claimed she acted when her husband was away, some residents alleged that the stepfather restrained the child during the incident in question.

Authorities also observed older injury marks on different parts of the child’s body, raising concerns that the alleged abuse may have occurred repeatedly over an extended period.

The allegations remain under investigation, while government officials and law enforcement agencies continue efforts to establish the facts and ensure justice for the victim. (NAN)