A 38-year-old nurse identified as Amarachukwu Nzekwe has been arrested by security operatives for brutalising her 13-year-old nephew with a heated laundry iron in Anambra State.
The suspect, a native of Ezinifite in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was arrested by security operatives in collaboration with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare after the incident went viral on social media.
Punch reports that during an interrogation, she said she only disciplined her nephew after he stole from her.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Wednesday by Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the Media Aide to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo.
The statement read in part, “The incident that went viral on social media was brought to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, on Sunday, August 18, 2024, while the arrest was made the following day.
“The perpetrator, Nzekwe, a native of Ezinifite in the Aguata Local Government Area of the state, said she only disciplined her nephew after he stole from her.
“According to the perpetrator, the weapon used in inflicting the injury on the 13-year-old was a well-heated laundry iron, after which she locked him up at home without any proper medication and attention.”
After rescuing the boy, Obinabo, who was visibly angry over the incident, assured the public that justice would be obtained for the boy.
Obinabo further warned intending offenders to desist from such or face the law as such an act would not be tolerated in the state.
As of the time of filing this report, the suspect had been handed over to the police for further investigation and consequently charged the case to court.
