Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) have both condemned the abuse of a baby in Imo State.
They demanded that the Imo government and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) arrest and prosecute the perpetrator, Confidence Amatobi, immediately.
The father, a resident of Amurie in Isu Local Government Area, is accused of assaulting his 2-month-old daughter, Miracle.
Amatobi, 31, allegedly beat the baby with a plastic hanger and broke his arm for disturbing his sleep.
The fractured body part was amputated at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owerri as a result of the violent act.
Dorothy Nnaji, the NAWOJ Chairperson, told reporters after visiting Miracle that Amatobi repeatedly hit the toddler to stop him from crying.
“The perpetrator, Confidence Amatobi, used a plastic hanger on the baby because he was crying and the mother had gone to relieve herself.”
“When he saw that the baby’s hand was broken and swollen, he used wood and elastic bands to tie it,” she explained.
According to the journalist, the man locked the mother and child inside to prevent her from seeking help from neighbors.
Amatobi also took her phone, but she was eventually rescued after she discovered a way out several hours later.
Nnaji confirmed that the father was apprehended by a vigilante but escaped.
“The baby’s hand had already deteriorated. “The only option was to remove baby Miracle’s right hand from his shoulder,” she explained.
