Twelve-year-old Esther has narrated her ordeal in the hands of her mistress, who bought her from suspected human traffickers for N15,000.
Esther was
rescued by officials of the Human Initiative for the Downtrodden, and Honeybols
Foundation after residents of Williams Estate, Akowonjo, Egbeda placed a
distress call to the NGOs.
According to
HID president, Comrade Kenpeacemaker Onoja, residents said the young girl was
often seen eating from the dustbin and bathing with water from the gutter.
Esther, who
is currently recuperating in a NAPTIP shelter said she was constantly starved,
beaten with belt and cable by her mistress.
"Mummy beats
me with a cane and any other thing she sees. She gives me food sometimes and I
pick food sometimes from the dustbin. She beats me most times when she
complains about how I sweep the floor. She tells me I don't sweep well."
When asked
why she was usually seen bathing outside with water from the gutter, she said
her madam had directed her to get herself cleaned outside the compound and not
inside the bathroom.
According to
a statement made available to SaharaReporters by the NGOs, Makinde and members
of the human trafficking syndicate that sold the child to her have been
arrested by the police while the young girl who was immediately given medical
attention, has been taken to the National Agency for the Prohibition of
Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for shelter.
"Omolola
Adepekun and one other person who simply identified herself as Modupe have been
arrested in connection with the case of child trafficking, abuse and slavery of
the 12-year-old girl child, Esther," the statement says.
"Following
the arrest of Mrs Makinde Ajoke over the matter, she has mentioned the names of
two women. Mrs Makinde's confessions led to the arrest of the women. Police
investigation continues at the Lagos State Criminal Investigation and
Intelligence Department, Panti.
"Police
officers from Panti have visited the girl for further investigation."
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