Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Police in Ebonyi State, South-East of Nigeria have arrested two men for allegedly stripping two teenage girls and flogging them on allegation of theft.
The duo were arrested after a 2023 video went viral this week in which they allegedly stripped two teenage girls naked and flogged them for allegedly stealing fowls.
The police vowed to prosecute the suspects to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to take the laws into their hands.
The teenage girls, were stripped naked and made to undergo various dehumanising treatments over allegation of stealing fowls.
They were flogged and forced to parade the community naked with the fowls they allegedly stole.
The incident happened in Ojiegbe, Ngbo community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, it was learned, happened in November 2023 but the video started circulating during the week.
Condemnation
The video’s circulation drew wide condemnation from the public who described the treatment meted out on the two girls as dehumanising.
They called on security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute all those involved in the inhumane treatment of the teenage girls.
“Share it until it gets to the government authorities. These girls were subjected to inhuman treatment. Criminal cases have legal punishment stipulated in the criminal code.
“Anyone caught in this situation should be handed over to the police, this treatment is too much for those small under age girls,” commented a resident on the video.
Arrest of primary suspects
On receipt of the complaints, the Police in Ebonyi swung into action and arrested Dennis Ali and Ituma Sunday in connection with the incident.
Police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, in a statement said the duo were the primary suspects in the dehumanising treatment of the girls.
“The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested Dennis Ali and Ituma Sunday, the primary suspects in a disturbing viral video where two teenage girls were stripped, flogged, and dehumanised.
“The incident occurred in November 2023 at Ojiegbe Ngbo community in Ohaukwu LGA,” he said.
The spokesperson noted that the arrest is in keeping with the promise by the new Commissioner of Police, Anthonia Uche-Anya, to eradicate trial by ordeal, jungle justice, and self-help in criminal justice.
“She reaffirms the command’s commitment to rooting out such practices in Ebonyi State with stakeholder support,” he said.
Mr Ukandu quoted CP Anya as assuring that those involved will face the full force of the law for their heinous actions.
