The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued a 16-year-old domestic worker in the Gwarinpa area of Abuja after she was allegedly subjected to physical abuse by her employer.
The victim, a native of Imo State and the ninth child in a family of 12, was reportedly responsible for caring for her employer’s three children, including two-month-old twins and a seven-year-old boy, while the employer worked night shifts.
According to eyewitnesses, the teenager’s ordeal came to light when she was scalded with hot water by her employer, leaving her with serious burns. Alarmed neighbours immediately rushed her to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and contacted NAPTIP, prompting a swift rescue operation.
NAPTIP officials confirmed that the girl has been taken into protective custody while receiving medical care and psychosocial support. The agency also assured that her family in Imo State has been contacted and efforts are being made to reunite her with them.
Speaking on the incident, NAPTIP reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on child labour, domestic servitude, and all forms of human trafficking. “This is a clear case of abuse and exploitation of a minor, and those responsible will face the full weight of the law,” an official stated.
The rescue has drawn attention to the widespread issue of child domestic work in Nigeria, where many underage children, often from poor families, are forced into exploitative labour conditions. Rights advocates have called for stronger enforcement of child protection laws, public sensitization, and community vigilance to prevent such abuses.
Investigations into the case are ongoing, and NAPTIP has vowed to prosecute everyone connected to the crime.
