By Onyeanya Ebere
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has launched a manhunt for a woman accused of brutally abusing and starving a 14-year-old girl working as a maid in Abuja.
The order came from the FCT Commissioner of Police, Adewale Ajao, after a disturbing video surfaced online showing the girl, identified as Bashariya, recounting her ordeal in Hausa.
The visibly distressed teenager, bearing scars from beatings and burns, said she was frequently assaulted and denied food.
Bashariya revealed that she hails from Zamfara State. Her family had relocated to the Gwiwa Eka IDP camp after fleeing repeated bandit attacks.
In a bid to escape hardship, she was taken to Abuja to serve as a domestic worker, only to suffer repeated abuse at the hands of her employer.
Reacting to the viral video, FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that the Commissioner has directed all Divisional Police Officers across the territory to track down and arrest the suspect immediately.
“Though the incident was not formally reported, CP Ajao has ordered a swift and thorough investigation to ensure the abuser is brought to justice,” Adeh stated.
She reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for child abuse, adding that those who cannot properly care for children have no business taking them in.
“No child should be subjected to such cruelty,” she said.
The police have called on members of the public with useful information to assist in locating the suspect.
