Ify Obinabo, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in Anambra State, has verified the arrest of one Eneh Ogechukwu for allegedly employing a 10-year-old child to beg for alms despite repeated warnings to stop.
According to Obinabo, the woman has been turned over to police and will be charged in court.
She also stated that the Anambra State government will not condone any behavior that exploits children.
Ogechukwu, 27, of Udi, Enugu State, was apprehended at Oyeolisa, Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area, begging a little girl with a tumor.
She claimed she was raising funds for therapy for the 10-year-old child from Benue State.
When questioned, she admitted that she had been using her since December of last year and had saved N100,000, as opposed to the N400,000 required for her surgery.
Obinabo stated that the woman will be charged soon before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka, and that the youngster will be transported to the hospital for a medical assessment and potential treatment.
Mismob Media