The Ebonyi state governor, Mr David Umahi, has called for the return of the 15-year-old Ebonyi girl dehumanized and stripped naked in a video that went viral few weeks back.
Uzoamaka Chukwu was stripped and tortured on July 13 by some people in Uburu, Ohaozara Local government area of Ebonyi state.
Governor Umahi made the call for the return of Uzoamaka to the state while paying her family a visit at their Umunaga Uburu residence. He said her return would enable the state government to take full responsibility of her rehabilitation and training.
Umahi said she must return within seven days or be declared wanted because she remained a property of state.
Uzoamaka was recently reported to have been adopted by a businesswoman who felt moved by her plight. The governor has however said she must be returned to the state within 7 days, according to Vanguard.
Emma Anya, chief press secretary to the governor quotes Umahi as having said: “Government is asking that wherever she is, she should come back so that we can take over her training from secondary school to university level. We will also be able to rehabilitate her.”
Umahi also said what government was doing was in no way going to stop the case in court, stressing that the case in court will continue to run its course.
Responding, Elder Francis Odabe, who responded on behalf of the family expressed fear over the undisclosed whereabout of Uzoamaka.
“We thank you for the commitment of the government towards Uzoamaka’s well being. Nobody knows where she is but we promise to do all in our powers to bring her out”.
The call made by the governor may come as a surprise to many who may likely find it more shocking that Umahi referred to the victim of an abuse as a property of the state who could be declared wanted if she failed to return to the state within 7 days, as Vanguard reports.
