The Adamawa State Police Command has apprehended a 23-year-old woman, Rachel Geoffrey, for allegedly inflicting severe burns on her 7-year-old and 3-year-old stepchildren.
The incident, which took place on May 14, 2024, has sparked outrage and highlighted issues of child abuse in the region.
In a statement posted on X.com on Saturday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, provided details of the incident.
“On 15/5/2024 the Command arrested a 23-year-old Rachel Geoffrey, a resident of Federal Housing estate, Girei local government area, who on 14/5/2024 intentionally inflicted severe physical injuries on her 7 and 3-year-old stepchildren,” Nguroje stated.
The victims, Genesis Geoffrey, aged 7, and Ijadai Geoffrey, aged 3, reportedly suffered numerous acts of cruelty and human rights violations from their stepmother following their parents’ separation.
According to the police, the stepmother’s actions were a form of punishment for the children eating food she had set aside for their father.
“Most worrisome is the recent incident in which she cooked rice and kept it for her husband, who happened to be the father of the victims, and then went out.
The hungry kids took and ate their father’s food,” the police statement continued.
“That angered her, she then tied their hands with a handkerchief, making them powerless, and set fire to their hands, resulting in the severe injuries they sustained.”
The police have described the case as a significant violation of the children’s rights and are pursuing justice for the young victims.
SP Nguroje emphasized the commitment of the Adamawa State Police Command to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring that perpetrators of such heinous acts are brought to justice.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from the public and human rights organizations, who are calling for swift legal action and greater protection for children in the state.
This case underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and intervention measures to prevent child abuse and protect the rights of minors.
