The Enugu State Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development has rescued a 16-year-old woman who was banished from her Nenwe Community in Enugu State over allegations that the father impregnated her.
Nenwe is a group in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The teenager (identify withheld) was banished from the group alongside her father on Thursday.
The banishment
PREMIUM TIMES obtained video clips circulating on Facebook exhibiting some offended group residents warning the teenager and her father by no means to return to the group.
The crowd led the duo to the exit level of the city.
Residents had been heard raining curses on the duo, who had been draped in palm fronds, a conventional image of abomination in Igbo land.
An aged resident was heard in one of the clips telling the daughter and the father that the group members had been banishing them as a result of what they allegedly did was a taboo within the land.
“Nenwe didn’t offend you. You had been those who offended yourselves and defiled our land.
“We are not happy that we are banishing you people from Nenwe. We’re banishing you people because you have defiled the land with the abomination you committed,” the resident mentioned in Igbo language.
The incident has elicited reactions in Enugu State since Thursday.
Many Nigerians say whereas incest stays a taboo in most African societies, banishment is an historical follow that ought to be discouraged.
Rescue
The Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development in Enugu State, Ngozi Enih, mentioned her ministry has now rescued the teenager and brought her into protected shelter.
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Mrs Enih, in a statement posted on her Facebook web page on Saturday, defined that the ministry’s intervention adopted public outcry in opposition to her banishment.
The commissioner mentioned the woman was allegedly raped by the father.
“Under the purposeful leadership of Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Enugu State Government remains committed to protecting vulnerable children, upholding their rights and ensuring that survivors of abuse receive the care and support they deserve,” she mentioned.
The commissioner assured Nigerians the survivor’s bodily well being, emotional well-being and total welfare could be prioritised.
She additional assured that the woman would obtain applicable psychosocial assist to assist her navigate the trauma she had skilled in an effort to start her therapeutic and restoration journey.
Mrs Enih emphasised that no youngster ought to ever be blamed, rejected or punished for being a sufferer of sexual abuse.
“Every child deserves protection, dignity, compassion and justice,” she acknowledged.
Manhunt for the father
Mrs Enih mentioned efforts to arrest the father, mentioned to be on the run, had been ongoing.
The commissioner mentioned the ministry stays dedicated to working with the related authorities to make sure that the suspect was prosecuted.
She praised members of the general public who raised the alarm and introduced the matter to the eye of the federal government.
“Your voices matter, and together, we can build a society where every child is safe, valued and protected,” she mentioned.
“The Enugu State Government, under the leadership of Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, will continue to strengthen child protection systems and ensure that no vulnerable child is left behind,” she assured.
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