The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Adewale Ajao, has directed the immediate arrest of a woman accused of severely abusing and starving a 14-year-old girl working as a maid in Abuja.

 

The order follows the circulation of a disturbing video online, showing the young girl, identified as Bashariya, recounting her ordeal in Hausa. In the video, visible scars from beatings and burns could be seen on her body.

 

According to Bashariya, she hails from Zamfara State. Her parents were forced to flee their home due to ongoing bandit attacks and are currently living at the Gwiwa Eka Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp. In search of a better life, she was brought to Abuja to serve as a domestic worker. However, instead of care, she reportedly faced constant starvation, physical assault, and torture.

 

The spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that CP Ajao has ordered all Divisional Police Officers to act swiftly in identifying and arresting the woman responsible.

 

While the case was not formally reported to the police, the viral nature of the video prompted the CP to take urgent action. “The Commissioner of Police strongly condemns any form of child abuse,” Adeh stated. “He emphasizes that individuals who are not capable of properly caring for a child should not take one in. No child should endure such inhumane treatment.”

 

The police have assured the public that justice will be pursued, and efforts are underway to ensure Bashariya receives appropriate care and support.