The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 38-year-old businesswoman, Mrs. Juliet Igwe, for the brutal torture of her six-year-old housemaid, Onyinyechi. The suspect was paraded on Wednesday (December 4, 2025) at the command headquarters in Owerri.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, described the assault — which involved burning the child’s private parts with an open candle flame, pouring boiling water on her hands, and dripping hot wax on her body — as “despicable, barbaric and totally unacceptable in any civilized society.”
According to Okoye, operatives of the Ideato North Division arrested Igwe in Uruala community following credible intelligence. He commended the Stand for Human Rights Foundation, led by activist-journalist Chidiebube Okeoma, for promptly alerting the police and assisting in the rescue.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, is deeply saddened by this wicked act. He has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to take over the case and ensure the suspect is charged to court without delay,” Okoye stated.
During questioning, Igwe admitted to the torture but claimed she “did not know” that applying fire and boiling water would cause such serious injuries. She accused the child of stealing meat from her cooking pot and claimed her actions were meant “to teach her a lesson.”
Chidiebube Okeoma, founder of the Stand for Human Rights Foundation, confirmed that his team responded to a distress call, rescued the severely injured child, and handed both the victim and suspect over to the police. He condemned the attack, describing it as “the height of wickedness against a defenseless child.”
The foundation has taken responsibility for the child’s medical care and has admitted her to the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu. Okeoma also expressed appreciation to Dr. Uche Ewelike, Executive Secretary of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency, for approving free and comprehensive medical coverage for the minor.
The police assured that Igwe will face the full weight of the law once investigations are concluded.
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