National Human Right Commission, NHRC, and the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Imo State chapter, have called on the Imo State Government and the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, to arrest and prosecute one Mr Confidence Amatobi, for allegedly assaulting his 2-month-old baby, Miracle, with a plastic hanger and breaking his right arm for disturbing his sleep. The incident led to the amputation of the fractured right arm at the Pediatrics ward of the Federal Medical Centre, FMC Owerri, Imo State.
NAWOJ, NHRC and the aggrieved mother of baby Miracle, made the call for justice in Owerri the Imo State Capital.
Imo State Chairperson of NAWOJ, Dr Dorothy Nnaji, who spoke to newsmen after visiting the amputated baby at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, confirmed the injury inflicted by the father, Mr. Confidence Amatobi, on the son.
She frowned at the act carried out by Mr Amatobi, and expressed shock that a father could assault his innocent child simply because he was crying for his 20 year old mother who stepped out to ease herself and disturbing his sleep.
According to her, ”The perpetrator, Mr. Confidence Amatobi, who hails from Amurie in Isu L.G.A used wood and elastic bands to tie the baby’s hand when he saw that hand was broken and swollen. He also locked the mother and baby to prevent her from talking to neighbours or seeking help while he took her phone from her. After two days she found her way out and sought help from her neighbours. By the time help came, the baby’s hand was already decayed.
Nigerians have reacted to baby Miracle’s story on social media,
Mr Amatobi was arrested by a vigilante but he escaped.
Story: Elizabeth Ereke