By Karen James
Owerri, Imo State — A nursing mother, whose identity remains undisclosed, has sparked public outrage after allegedly beating her underage maid to death. The tragic incident reportedly occurred after the maid was punished for sitting with the woman’s children to watch a program.
A viral video circulating online shows the nursing mother carrying her infant at a hospital in Owerri, surrounded by a visibly agitated crowd. In the footage, the lifeless body of the maid is seen lying on a hospital bed, while onlookers confront the suspect.
Tensions escalated as the crowd demanded justice, with some people threatening violence. A voice in the video is heard cautioning against physical harm, saying, “Guy, no hit am, no hit am.” Another person is heard affirming that the woman would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), stating, “She’s going to NAPTIP straight.”
According to an eyewitness, name withheld said, neighbors intervened and apprehended the woman following the incident. Although the suspect was seen trying to explain her actions in the video, the crowd’s commotion drowned out her voice.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the case, but the involvement of NAPTIP suggests an ongoing investigation. Community members and human rights advocates have expressed their demand for justice for the deceased maid and stricter measures to prevent abuse of domestic workers.
As the investigation unfolds, this case has once again highlighted the troubling issue of child abuse and maltreatment of domestic workers in Nigeria.
