Parents Arrested For Child Neglect in Nnewi South.

In response to the treatment their five minor sons received in the Osumenyi community in the Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, a couple has been detained and turned over to the police.

Mr. Uche and Mrs. Peace Mbonu face allegations of maltreatment, deprivation, and neglect of their five young sons.

The Nnewi South LGA security personnel made the arrest before turning them over to the police via Ify Obinabo, the state commissioner for women's affairs and social welfare.

On Saturday, June 29, this was disclosed in a statement provided by the commissioner's media assistant, Chidimma Ikeanyionwu.

The text of the statement said, "On why they starved the kids, the couple denied the allegation and stated in their defense that the kids are always in the habit of eating raw rice, which makes them infuriated.

"While pleading for pardon, the couple said that they always feed the kids but that the children prefer eating raw rice, which they don’t know where they picked up the behavior from.

"On his part, the oldest of the kids, Chigbo Mbonu, revealed that Peace Mbonu is his father’s third wife, and ever since she came into their family, they have faced a lot of untold hardship.

"Chigbo Mbonu, who is currently 17 years old, said that they feed once a day for the days their stepmother will give them food but rely on raw rice and palm kernel after hunger must have greatly dealt with them.

He continued by saying that he had eventually dropped out of school to assist his father with his block business. On poor days, he uses four bags of cement to mould blocks; on good days, he uses six bags.

"Further physical examination of the children by the Women Affairs commissioner showed that they have been greatly starved and in need of medical care.

"It is important to note that Mr Uche Mbonu has married two wives before finally settling with the third one Peace Mbonu, who was his sales girl, and that the kids are all product of his previous marriages.

"According to the security operatives who helped in apprehending the culprits, they explained that after they got the husband, his wife Peace ran to Nnewi, her maternal home to hide before they eventually apprehended her too."

Ify Obinabo, the commissioner for women's affairs, responded to the news by denouncing the act and vowing that the state government will keep up its efforts to minimize child labor, abuse, and other forms of mistreatment.

Since then, the pair has been turned over to the police for more investigation, following which a court case will be filed.