Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has offered a scholarship to a 13-year-old, Ukamaka Okonkwo, rescued from the alleged ritualist and kidnapper dungeon, Obi-Levi Obieze, at Ndiagu Umumba in Ezeagu Council Area.

Ngozi Enih, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, disclosed this in a statement in Enugu on Sunday.

The commissioner said the scholarship would see Miss Okonkwo through her education from her present class to the university.

She added that the state government had moved her to a government facility for therapy and rehabilitation as a way of helping her overcome the trauma she must have passed through.

Ms Enih said they had travelled to Ndiagu Umumba to visit the girl’s parents and take her to Enugu for therapy and full rehabilitation.

“Therefore, the Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development will be responsible for providing therapies and counselling to her before reintegrating her back into society.

‘This is just a way of reassuring her and her parents that they are not alone and to equally put smiles on their faces,” she said.

The commissioner disclosed that the government delegation also visited Theophilus Ezih and Chinenye Ezih, parents of the deceased boy, Chimaobi Ezih, at Agba Umana in the same Ezeagu Council Area.

“The essence is to commiserate with them over the unfortunate incident. We share their pains,” the commissioner stated.

She, however, said the identity of the pregnant woman also found dead in the Ndiagu Umumba dungeon had not yet been identified to be able to trace her relatives.

Ms Enih promised that the government and the relevant security were working on it, maintaining that all the culprits would be brought to book.

“As you are well aware, this is a government that has zero tolerance for crime. The government has already demolished the property linked to these dastardly acts in line with the extant laws of Enugu State.

“The police and other security agencies are working with the government to track down and bring back those still at large to face justice.

“That is the only way to appease the spirits and souls of the deceased and to get our society rid of such crimes,” she said.

(NAN)