Anambra Police Nab Woman for Allegedly Burning 17-Year-Old House Help with Pressing Iron

The Anambra State Police Command has taken into custody a 29-year-old woman over the alleged abuse and physical assault of her 17-year-old house help in Awka, Anambra State.

The suspect, identified as Mrs. Edeh Osinachi, was handed over to the Police on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, by the Anambra State Ministry of Education.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command confirmed the development, noting that the arrest aligns with its ongoing commitment to safeguarding the welfare and safety of students and pupils across the state.

“As part of our continuous commitment to the welfare and safety of students and pupils in the State, the Anambra State Police Command today, Tuesday, 4th February 2025, received a 29-year-old female suspect, Mrs. Edeh Osinachi, from the Anambra State Ministry of Education. The suspect allegedly abused and inflicted serious injuries on a 17-year-old girl said to be her house help in Awka,” the statement read.
Preliminary investigations revealed that officials of the victim’s school noticed multiple severe injuries on her body during a teaching session. Alarmed by the discovery, the school authorities immediately made inquiries, during which the victim disclosed that her guardian was responsible for the injuries.
The victim reportedly told investigators that the assault occurred after she used her guardian’s mobile phone to make calls without permission. According to her account, Mrs. Osinachi, angered by the act, allegedly punished her by repeatedly burning her body with a hot pressing iron.
Police sources further disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to committing the act.
Commending the vigilance and prompt action of the school authorities, SP Ikenga assured the public that the Police Command would ensure a thorough investigation and that justice would be served.
“The Anambra State Police Command assures the public that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted and that the suspect will be made to face the full weight of the law,” he stated.
He also used the opportunity to advise parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for the welfare of their children.
“The Command urges parents to give birth only to the number of children they can adequately care for and train, to prevent situations where children become vulnerable to abuse while in the care of others,” Ikenga added.