Couple Arrested For Child Abuse and Starvation In Osumenyi.
By Chidinma Ikeanyionwu
Mr Uche and his wife, Peace Mbonu, have been arrested for child abuse, starvation, and refusal to provide necessaries for their five underaged boys in Osumenyi, Nnewi South local government area of the state.
The arrest was carried out by the security Operatives of the Nnewi South before they were handed over to the police through the commissioner for women and social welfare, Hon Ify Obinabo.
On why they starved the kids, the couple denied the allegation and stated in their defense that the kids are always in the habit of eating raw rice, which makes them infuriate them.
While pleading for pardon, the couple said that they always feed the kids but that the children prefer eating raw rice, which they don’t know where they picked up the behavior from.
On his part, the oldest of the kids, Chigbo Mbonu, revealed that Peace Mbonu is his father’s third wife, and ever since she came into their family, they’ve faced a lot of untold hardship.
Chigbo Mbonu who is currently 17 years old said that they feed once a day for the days their step mother will give them food but rely on raw rice and palm kernel after hunger must’ve greatly dealt with them.
He went ahead to explain that he at some point stopped schooling because he helps his father in his block industry. He noted that he moulds blocks with 4 bags of cement on a bad day and 6 bags on normal days.
Further physical examination of the children by the Women Affairs boss showed that they have been greatly starved and in need of medical care.
It is important to note that Mr Uche Mbonu has married two wives before finally settling with the third one Peace Mbonu, who was his sales girl, and that the kids are all product of his previous marriages.
According to the security Operatives who helped in apprehending the culprits, they explained that after they got the husband, his wife Peace ran to Nnewi, her maternal home to hide before they eventually apprehended her too.
Hon Obinabo condemned the act and stated that the Soludo led APGA government will continue to ensure that child labor, abuse, and all forms of maltreatment are reduced to the barest minimum.
The couple has since been handed over to the police for further investigation and charge the case to court.
