The Anambra State Government has confirmed that a 10-year-old boy who suffered severe physical injuries while in the custody of his guardians in Awada, Obosi, is undergoing medical treatment under state supervision. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, disclosed this during a statement made to journalists in Awka on Monday. She confirmed that the child is being cared for by the state and that her team, alongside the Obosi community woman leader, had visited him.
Mrs Onyekesi commended residents of Anambra for reporting the case, which gained public attention after a video showing the boy's scalded body and visible injuries circulated on social media. The video allegedly implicated the boy's guardian, a woman, and her husband, as the perpetrators. While the cause of the abuse was not disclosed in the report, another video showed community members confronting the suspects at their home in Awada, Obosi. "The offenders must face the law for this barbaric act. If you see something please say something," Mrs Onyekesi said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the suspects are being pursued for legal action, though no arrests or charges were detailed in the statement. The boy remains under medical care, with the state overseeing his recovery. No timeline for the legal process was provided.
Mrs Onyekesi condemned the abuse while her agency waits for public reports to uncover it, not proactive monitoring. The boy was already injured before the state intervened, relying on viral footage rather than early detection systems. If protection depends on social media exposure, many other children in similar conditions may remain unseen. The state's response only begins after harm is done and broadcast.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
