By Tola Gbadamosi

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ondo State Council, has rescued a 13-year-old girl, Evelyn Omotayo, from ongoing abuse by her 24-year-old nephew, a businessman with whom she lives at Oshodi Quarters in the Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Hope Metro gathered that the girl arrived at school with a swollen face, prompting an investigation.

It was discovered that she was frequently beaten and neglected at home. The school immediately contacted Ondo NAWOJ to intervene and rescue the girl from her guardian’s abuse.

According to reports, the girl had been living with her 70-year-old elder brother, Mr Timothy Omotayo, the father of the 24-year-old businessman, Tayo Omotayo, alongside two other children in the household, while Tayo frequently beat the girl with a wire over minor excuses.

Further reports state that Evelyn had lost both parents, which is why she was living with her elder brother, who failed to care for her and frequently beat her. Her body bore several scars from past and recent injuries.

In a swift response, the school authorities contacted Ondo NAWOJ, and upon examining the girl, they found that every part of her body was marked with injuries, both old and new, from the beatings.

Ondo NAWOJ quickly alerted the Child Care Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which took immediate action.

Speaking with Chief Superintendent Caroline Ogunmola-Ayodele of the NSCDC Gender Unit, she said, “Upon interrogation, we realised that the girl had been beaten by her nephew and his siblings, who inflicted these bruises on her body.”

The NSCDC invited the businessman and his father, who admitted to the abuse. The man was made to write an undertaking that neither he nor his family would beat the girl again.

“We advised him to correct the child with love at all times and warned him that if such a situation arises again, further action would be taken,” Ogunmola-Ayodele added.

The family was also made to apologise to the girl, and both Ondo NAWOJ and the NSCDC received assurances that the child would be properly cared for moving forward.