A 35-year-old woman, Monsurat Olusanya, has been arrested by the police in Ogun for allegedly inflicting injuries on her four-year-old niece, Faith Ogundimu.
Olusanya allegedly burnt the victim with a hot knife for pouring a pot of soup.
It was learnt that the incident occurred on Friday at Tiluwalase community in Owode Ijako, Sango.
Olusanya was said to have also beaten the child on her stomach and lips.
According to the police, a member of the Community Development Association (CDA) reported the assault against her at Sango Police Station which prompted her arrest.
Spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said the unnamed CDA member took the victim to the police station and volunteered a statement.
“He reported that the little girl was on the verge of bring sent to an early grave if steps were not taken to safe her from her wicked aunt.
“On the strength of the report, the DPO Sango Police Station CSP Godwin Idehai detailed his detectives to the scene where the wicked aunt was promptly arrested.
“She admitted being responsible for the injuries on the body of the victim but pleaded with the police to be lenient with her claiming that the devil pushed her to do it.
“The victim has been taken to hospital for medical treatment. The suspect who is a mother of three, is currently being detained at Sango Division while the parents of the victim have been contacted to come and take custody of their daughter.
“The Commissioner of Police Bashir Makama has directed that the suspect be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
“He appealed to parents to be mindful of the people they give their children to because many of the so called guardians are in the habit of maltreating children who are not theirs,” he said.
