A 16-year-old girl identified as Blessing Olokumo has been rescued after being locked up in a wooden cage for over 30 months by her parents over alleged strange illness attributed to witchcraft.
A foundation known for its campaign against maltreatment of twin child in the state, was contacted by concerned indigenes of Okolobiri community where the Olokumo family resides.
Olokumo, a twin, is an indigene of Ayibatari quarter, Opokuma, in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, according to investigation conducted by the group, was diagnosed with a strange illness.
The President of the foundation, Comrade Tonyon Ebitei Robert, said the strange illness led to the isolation of Olokumo by her parents due to her alleged constant incidence of defecation and soiling of the house.
Robert said: “She was kept like a rabbit. She was given food when it is available and was allowed to sleep in her vomit, faeces and urine. She lost weight and could have died.”
Olokumo’s father allegedly built the cage and locked her up to keep her away from the main house. He absconded from the house shortly after the rescue operation and could not be reached for questioning.
The first attempt by members of the group to reach the caged child was allegedly rebuffed by the father but their next trip was fruitful as he handed the child to them.
Olokumo was reportedly taken to the teaching hospital for proper medical treatment.
Indigenes of the community condemned the act, describing it as callous and wicked.
