The Borno State Police Command has arrested a couple, Muhammad Shetima, 33, and his wife, Aishatu Abubakar, 23, for physically abusing an 11-year-old girl, Hauwa Mohammed Goni. The girl, a Primary 5 pupil of Bolori Primary School, had entered the couple’s residence in Pompomari area of Maiduguri to pluck mangoes.
According to ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the spokesman of the Police Command, the couple accosted the child and subjected her to severe flogging. The incident was recorded by Mrs. Abubakar and shared on social media, sparking widespread outrage and prompting concerned citizens and civil society organizations to demand action.
The couple was arrested with the assistance of concerned citizens and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Borno State Command. The victim has been taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for medical attention and is responding to treatment.
The suspects are currently being held at the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Maiduguri, as investigations are ongoing before prosecution. The police have assured that the case will be thoroughly investigated, and the suspects will be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Child Protection Law and the Borno State Penal Code Law.
