ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Operatives of Ekeki Police Division, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State have arrested a 35-year-old mother, Mrs Priye Richman, for allegedly inflicting life-threatening injuries with blades on her teen daughter, Tokoye, over alleged theft of N1,500.
The mother was said to have after lacerating the daughter’s body with the blade, then rubbed pepper and kerosene on the injuries.
The operatives apprehended Mrs Richman along School Road, Okutukutu in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, who trades in the distribution of locally-made bread, popularly known as ‘Madiga’, allegedly tied her daughter and slashed every part of her body with blades.
It was gathered that the victim was operated on by doctors at the Police hospital located behind the ‘A’ Division Police Station.
It was also gathered that Tokoye, a 13-year-old girl, was brought in by the members of the girl-child advocacy groups made up of the DO Foundation, Izon Ladies Association (ILA) and Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) with multiple lacerations.
Over 15 stitches were reportedly carried out on the injuries including a damage to her tendon on her feet.
She was also said to have sustained deep slash to her buttocks and shoulder.
Narrating her ordeal, the victim, who is an indigene of Okpokunu near Bomadi LGA of Delta State, said: “My mother came back around 12 pm on Sunday, after church, and accused me of stealing her N1,500.
“I told her I didn’t see the money. She did not believe it and started beating me. She tied me with ropes and slashed all parts of my body with razor blades. She later rubbed pepper and kerosene on the injuries.”
She said it was a neighbour who pushed down the door and rescued her.
“The incident lasted over two hours. The concerned neighbour later called members of the girl-child advocacy groups who took charge and arrested my mother and handed her to the police,” the victim stated.
The President of the DO Foundation, Dise Sheila Ogbise, condemned the rising cases of domestic violence against the girl-child and male-child in the state.
She said: “We condemn these rising cases and call on the members of JUSUN to quickly call off their strike to allow for the quick prosecution of this case to deter others from engaging in the wicked acts of violence against their children.”
Also reacting, the President of the Izon Ladies Association, Yenagoa Branch, High Chief Efua Grace Koroye, described the incident as pathetic and act of wickedness against the girl-child.
”We support the rescue of the girl and condemn the attack on the girl-child. We call for the quick resolution of the case,” she said.
Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the development.
He said the suspect was already in police custody and that investigation was ongoing.