Cross River: Man sets 2-year-old niece ablaze “for defecating around the house”
A six-year-old girl, Destiny Kelvin was allegedly set ablaze by her uncle for defecating around the house in Leo Ewa in Akampka Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Destiny’s uncle was said to have tied her to a guava tree and set on fire, but was later rescued by ana NGO, child protection network (CPN).
The child has been handed over to the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) where she is currently undergoing treatment.
The program manager of the organization, Kebe Ikpi, said that the child sustained high degree of injuries which has made her unable to either stand or sit.
He said that the uncle tied her to a guava tree and set her on fire, alleging that the victim defecates around.
“As a result of the fire, she sustained high degree injuries. Her feet are burnt. She is not able to stand or sit. Apart from the injuries, she is looking malnourished and terribly underweight.
“She sleeps outside on a make shift bed not even good enough for a dog, let alone a human being.
“She is currently undergoing treatment. The uncle has been arrested and BRCI will press for prosecution,” he stated.
“The father of the girl is in our custody. The girl was brought in half dead but with the help of our Divisional Police Officer and welfare officer in the police, the baby was taken care of and she has recovered,” she stated.
