By Omoniyi David
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued a 16-year-old domestic worker after she was allegedly scalded with hot water by her employer in the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to a statement released Friday on NAPTIP’s official Facebook page, the rescue followed a distress call from concerned neighbours who witnessed the assault.
The victim, a native of Imo State and the eighth of 12 children, had been engaged to care for her employer’s three children, including two-month-old twins and a seven-year-old boy.
Neighbours rushed the injured teenager to a nearby hospital before alerting NAPTIP, a move the agency said was crucial in saving her life.
“Reports indicate that the girl was deliberately doused with hot water by her employer. Alert neighbours quickly moved her to a medical facility and notified NAPTIP, prompting a rapid rescue operation,” the agency confirmed.
NAPTIP added that a full investigation is underway and assured that those responsible would be prosecuted in line with the law.
The case underscores a troubling trend of domestic violence in Nigeria in which hot water is used as a weapon, often with devastating consequences.
In February 2022, a woman, Ramota Soliu, reportedly killed her husband, Bello Soliu, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, after pouring hot water on him.
Similarly, in September 2023, a landlord identified as Michael allegedly scalded an 11-year-old girl, Princess, with hot water in the Mowe area of Ogun State.
