In what represents the height of wickedness, a woman by name Temitope Adetanju, aged 25, has allegedly burned the private part of a 12-year-old girl with firewood for reportedly stealing biscuit and satchet Milo of N150 at Obada in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Reacting Friday to the viral video of the little girl which went viral on WhatsApp platforms on Thursday, Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Adijat Adeleye, vowed that Mrs Adetanju would be duly prosecuted.

The video showed the girl explaining how she came about the wounds on her body and private part.

The victim who said she is from Ijoun in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state disclosed that she was brought to live with Mrs Adetanju who is a friend to her father’s younger sister.

She explained further that her both parents live in Ijoun and that her guardian decided to burn her private part with firewood because she stole biscuits.

Speaking with our correspondent, Adeleye said, “The case was brought to my notice on Thursday while on Hajj, but we are on it. I learned that the woman had been arrested and the girl was taken to the hospital.

“The case is in Obada police station, and the girl is being treated at the health centre in Obada too. This is barbaric and the height of wickedness. I can assure you that the culprit will not go unpunished.

“The wellness and well-being of all children in Ogun State is our utmost priority as enshrined in the Child Rights Law and the Governor is totally committed to this. My people will be at the court today where the woman is expected to be arraigned.”

The spokesperson of Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident on her X handle

Odutola said, “On 13th June 2024 One Temitope Adetanju, a 25-year-old woman has been arrested by DPO Obada Oko in Ogun State for inserting a sizeable firewood into the private part of a 12-year-old for stealing a biscuit N200, Milo 150, and fruit N300.” (Adapted from a Saturday PUNCH report)

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