… Left unclothed on bare floor in unlocked backroom

…Co-tenants deny knowledge of her existence

By Saheed Ibrahim

In a shocking case of parental neglect and lack of empathy, a young girl, estimated to be about six years old, is abandoned by her parents due to her physical disability.

Malnourished and in a distressing state, the girl was found lying unclothed on a bare floor in an unsecured backroom at 19, Zone A1, Kajola area of Akure, Ondo State.

Alerted by a concerned community member, The Thope visited the premises, uncovering the harrowing condition of the child.

The sight of her, lying helplessly, is enough to evoke tears, her vulnerable state worsened by apparent neglect.

Community members alleged the girl’s parents recently left for a celebration without arranging for her care.

According to residents, the girl, who is a twin, has endured prolonged abandonment, while her sister, who does not have any disability, appears to receive better attention.

A community source expressed shock at the girl’s condition, saying, “I couldn’t believe such a thing was happening in this Kajola area. I also heard that people had challenged the mother about the child’s care, but she didn’t show a serious attitude.

“I’m shocked to have seen the child in that condition. Personally, I have been trying to find a way to report this issue after I recently got the information,” the source added.

Efforts to locate the girl’s parents during the first visit proved futile. A woman at the house denied any knowledge of the girl’s presence, stating, “There is no such boy here.

“I am the only one at home; others have gone to their places of work. I don’t know whom you are referring to.”

However, The Hope team, armed with photographic and video evidence, verified the child’s presence in the house.

A concerned community member directed the team to a shop believed to belong to the girl’s mother, described as a tailor. Upon visiting the location, the shop was found locked, and the mother was nowhere to be seen.

The Hope contacted the Ondo State Chapter of the Nigeria Women Journalists (NAWOJ), the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),which have been in the fore front of advocating for the welfare of children in Ondo State, to report the case for swift intervention.

Efforts to get in touch with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, was unsuccessful.

The Hope revisited the house and found the girl lying helplessly on the floor.

The stench oozing from the room she is kept is strong enough to make one puke.

It was not only pathetic to behold but mind troubling to find such a young lad abandoned and unclothed on bare floor by her parents.

Those met at the house, denied the knowledge of such girl in the house.

In a twist of event , an officer of the NSCDC lives in the house.

He denied having knowledge of such situation within the building he lives in.

He said he only knows two kids with the parents but never knew there is another hidden in a room.

The room the girl was found has two wooden windows but only one was open, the other is nailed.

Right behind the window is the house toilet and bathroom, just about 4 meters away from the window.

As at the time of filing this report, efforts were underway to remove the girl from the dire situation she is for further actions to be taken.

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