The Anambra State Government, through its Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, has intervened to rescue Chidiebere Otenyi, a victim of domestic abuse residing in Ezinifite, Aguata Local Government Area of the state. The perpetrator, Martha Umenweke, aged in her late 60s, has been apprehended and handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution at the Children, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate Court in Awka. This development was announced in a statement by Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the media assistant to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, on Friday.

According to Ikeanyionwu, the victim was rescued following a report from a whistleblower who witnessed the incident and alerted the ministry. The statement emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring justice for victims of abuse and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Chidiebere Otenyi, a 19-year-old from Nkanu, Enugu State, recounted her ordeal, stating that her employer accused her of stealing N25,000, which she denied. This accusation led to severe physical abuse, with Chidiebere enduring maltreatment and starvation during her time with Martha Umenweke.

Further investigation revealed that Chidiebere, despite her age, was still in Primary 3, as her employer had allegedly demoted her from a higher class. Martha Umenweke claimed she punished the maid for theft, but details of the abuse suggested otherwise.

The case has been transferred to the police for a thorough investigation and subsequent prosecution at the Children, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate Court in Awka. This incident echoes a similar case in February involving a lawyer in Anambra State who abused her 11-year-old house help. The matter garnered national attention, prompting government intervention and legal action against the perpetrator.