The Onyedinma Foundation, in collaboration with the Child Protection Network, Abia State Chapter, visited a 16-year-old survivor of child domestic work who was receiving care at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba.
From facts available, the young boy was severely abused by his aunt, an incident that rightly sparked widespread outrage on social media.
DrumAfricanews reports that the boy was brought to Aba in 2024 from Orji River in Enugu State, with the promise of putting him in school and taking good care of him.
Onwuka Glory, Executive Director, the Onyedinma Foundation, said that the boy was instead denied education and forced into domestic servitude. A situation, that bears resemblance of modern slavery.
Onwuka said that from what was seen, his facial injuries, brought the case to light, as they were inflicted when his guardian struck him with a breakable plate, causing wounds that required urgent medical attention.
She added that during the visit, the Onyedinma Foundation also observed multiple marks on his back, evidence of repeated torture over time.
Onwuka said that the Onyedinma Foundation is glad to report that the survivor is gradually recovering and has been reunited with his family.
The Foundation provided substantial financial support to the family, while the perpetrator remains in police custody awaiting prosecution. We commend the authorities for their prompt and decisive action.
According to Onwuka, “This is not an isolated case. It reflects a painful and unacceptable reality across Nigeria, especially in the South East, where countless child domestic workers suffer exploitation, abuse, and dehumanisation in silence.
“Every child deserves protection, dignity, education, and love, not chains of servitude, stated by Onwuka Glory, the executive director of the Onyedinma Foundation.”
The foundation called on governments, communities, and families to strengthen child protection systems, enforce laws against child abuse, and ensure that the rights of every child, including child domestic workers, are upheld.
“Let us break the cycle of silence and violence. Our children are our future; protect them at all costs,” she said.
