It is a case of mixed fortunes for a poor family in Okaiuga Nkwoegwu of Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State as the rape of their-11-year-old daughter has attracted government to rally to its assistance.

A national daily had, last Sunday, reported the story of the 11-year-old girl and her friend (names withheld) who were lured by the two men to a building in the community where the victim was sexually abused, mauled and maimed by the two beasts, now at large.

The girl had sent an SOS to the authorities and wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, alleging that the police were not doing enough to bring her assailants to justice. Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, rushed to the home of the victim, on learning about the incident, where she expressed deep shock that humans could debase themselves to the level of animals and attack and molest a small girl.

She described the incident as strange and very painful to her, disclosing that her husband and governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has ordered a full investigation into the matter and intensive manhunt for the two suspects and their collaborators.

Mrs. Ikpeazu, while expressing the sympathy of the first family and that of well-meaning Abians, unfolded a package for rehabilitation of the victim and her family.

Taking the girl into her care, Mrs. Ikpeazu conveyed her to the state-owned Specialist Hospital where she is currently receiving treatment for her injuries. “Government would bankroll the cost of her treatment,” the governor’s wife said, adding that upon the girl's recovery, she would enjoy full scholarship up to university level.

She also announced that the Governor has directed that a new home be constructed for the family of the abused girl.

These gestures, according to Mrs. Ikpeazu, were geared towards helping the girl to overcome the trauma of the incident.

Her words: “We are doing our best to help her overcome this traumatic period quickly. We will rehabilitate her and give her a renewed sense of life. A new house is to be built for her family while we are also setting up a new business for her mother who is just a petty trader to help her sustain the family.

“Her father is out of work. You can see the place they live. It is sad. It is painful that people, adults who should care for and protect young ones have now become predators and prey on such little children. We will not tolerate that. The security agencies will fish out the culprits and bring them to book.”

Mrs. Ikpeazu said she has put relevant bodies like the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the state Ministry of Women Affairs on the alert so that they would assist and follow through to ensure fairness in the investigation and the subsequent judicial process.

•Photo shows Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and wife Nkechi.

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