By Desire Emmanuel
The Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare is currently handling the pathetic case of a 15-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted and raped repeatedly at the various places where she worked as a housemaid.
The girl, whose name was given simply as Chinelo, from Ochii Ogwa, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state, served as housemaid where she carried out domestic duties at places in the state and even up to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
At some of the places where she worked, she was said to have been subjected to all forms of sexual abuse and was also raped in some instances.
Her plight was revealed by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare in the state, Mrs Nkechinyere Ugwu, on her verified X handle after she visited the last village where the girl was working as housemaid. She and officials of the ministry took her away.
She said her plight got to her attention following information received from concerned residents of the village after they witnessed how she was being maltreated by her employers.
She said after the girl was rescued, she took the matter to the office of the First Lady in the state, who in turn has informed security agencies in order to fish out and bring to justice those behind the molestation of the girl and those who raped her repeatedly.
According to her, though Chinelo is currently being taken care of at the ministry, parents are urged to keep their children close, know who they are with and visit them often to ensure their safety.
She wrote in one of her posts: “I followed up on the tragic case of 15‑year‑old Chinelo from Ochii Ogwa, Mbaitoli LGA, who was taken to work as a domestic helper in several locations. In each place, she was sexually assaulted and raped. The abuse continued in Port Harcourt, where she was repeatedly raped.”
