The Enugu State Government has moved Miss Ukamaka Okonkwo, the girl who was rescued from the dungeon of a suspected ritualist to a government facility for therapy and rehabilitation.
Okonkwo was rescued during the invasion of the home of Obi Levi Obieze, the alleged ritualist and kidnapper, at Ndiagu Umumba in the Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, who made this known on Sunday, said this was at the instance of Governor Peter Mbah.
Mrs. Enih said the governor also awarded a scholarship to Miss Okonkwo which would see her through education from her present class to the university.
“We travelled to Ndiagu Umumba, Ezeagu LGA, today at the governor’s instance to meet with the parents of Ukamaka, and to bring her to Enugu where she will undergo the necessary therapy and be fully rehabilitated.
“You can imagine the level of trauma this young girl must have passed through.
“So, the government wants to ensure that she bounces back fully in the shortest possible time.
“Therefore, the Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development will be responsible for providing therapies and counselling to her before reintegrating her back into the society,” she said.
The commissioner said a government delegation visited Mr Theophilus Ezih and Mrs Chinenye Ezih, parents of the deceased boy, Chimaobi Ezih, at Agba Umana in Ezeagu Local Government Area to commiserate with them over the unfortunate incident.
She, however, said the identity of the pregnant woman also found dead in the dungeon was yet to be identified.
She assured the people that the government and the relevant security were working on it, maintaining that all the culprits would be brought to book.
“As you are well aware, this is a government that has zero tolerance for crime. The government has already demolished the property linked to these dastardly acts in line with extant laws of Enugu State.
“The police and other security agencies are working with the government to track down and bring back those still at large to face justice.
“That is the only way to appease the spirits and souls of the deceased and to get our society rid of such crimes,” she added.
The Punch
