Kwara: Woman inflicts burns on housemaids for not flushing toilet

By Steve Oni, Ilorin

Operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC), in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, have arrested a mistress, Hajia Balqees Yahaya Mohammed for inflicting burns with hot iron on two of her housemaids .

The housemaids, simply identified as​ Hauwa 14yrs and Aisha 12yrs, it was gathered, were punished for not flushing​ the toilet after use.

The mistress, said to be dealing in Nylon business at Mandate Market along western reservoir road Adewole, Ilorin allegedly used the hot object on the victims’ buttocks

It was gathered that the victims were noticed by neighbours who observed that they were walking with difficulties.

Upon interviewing them, the victims were said to have reluctantly opened up that their mistress inflicted injuries on them for not flushing the toilet.

Public Relations Officer of the state command of the NSCDC,​ Femi Bello confirmed the incident, saying investigations have been conducted and that the command has initiated process to charge the suspect to a juvenile court.

He said: “Yes there was an arrest made in that respect, the victims are not her children they are just like maids to her .

“Investigations have been conducted, the suspect will be charged by tomorrow in the juvenile court.”

A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said some concerned persons reported the matter to the NSCDC following which she was arrested and detained at the command’s headquarters in Ilorin.

“We have also informed International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) about it for necessary action”, the source said

Sources in the suspect’s neighborhood​ also informed our correspondent that​ the parents of the victims have been contacted.

The source​ however said the parents of the victims​ have denied that their children were given out as maids, alleging that the suspect took the custody of the victims with the understanding that she wanted to assist by funding their education.

In a bid to cover up the inhuman treatment allegedly meted out to the victims, the suspect was said to have hurriedly sewn new uniforms and bought new shoes for the victims to give an impression that they were not used as maids.