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An 18-year-old girl, Chinenye Ezekwueme, was chased out of her aunt’s home at New World Estate, Oba, in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, on the night of June 27, 2025, in an incident that has shocked the community and sparked widespread outrage.
Chinenye, who hails from Umueze Uga in Aguata Local Government Area, was reportedly maltreated by her aunt before being forced out into the night, raising concerns about her safety and wellbeing.
The incident has led to heated debates about who is to blame for this distressing event, with fingers pointing at her aunt, her father, her stepmother, and the broader system of child protection in Nigeria.
Chinenye, a Senior Secondary School student currently writing her NECO exams at Richland School, Oba, had been living with her aunt after facing maltreatment from her stepmother.
Her father, who raised her as a single parent after her mother’s passing, paid her school fees to ensure she could continue her education. However, life with her aunt was far from peaceful.
According to Chinenye, her aunt mistreated her to the extent of arresting the mother of a classmate who offered financial help for her Food and Nutrition practical exam, a gesture meant to support the young girl during her exams.
The situation escalated on Thursday night when the aunt expelled Chinenye from her home, leaving her vulnerable on the streets of Oba. The community has reacted with anger, with many calling the aunt’s actions “wickedness in the highest order.”
A local trader, Mama Ngozi, expressed dismay, saying, “Children may misbehave, but throwing her out at night is too much. Where will she go?” Others have questioned whether Chinenye’s behaviour contributed to the incident, noting that “children of nowadays are something else,” but most agree that the aunt’s response was extreme and dangerous, especially given recent security concerns in Anambra.
For instance, a kidnapping incident in Idemili South on June 14, 2025, highlighted the risks young girls face in the area. The question of blame is complex. The aunt’s decision to chase Chinenye out at night is widely seen as reckless, endangering the teenager’s life in a state where violent crimes, such as the burning of a 74-year-old woman in Abagana in January 2025, have raised alarms.
Her father shares some responsibility for not ensuring her safety after sending her to live with her aunt, especially following maltreatment by her stepmother, who initially drove Chinenye from her father’s home. The broader system also comes under scrutiny, as Nigeria’s child protection mechanisms, despite efforts by organizations like UNICEF, remain weak. A 2023 case in Onitsha, where four children were rescued from their abusive aunt, shows that such incidents are not isolated.
Chinenye’s whereabouts remain unclear, raising urgent concerns about her safety as she navigates her NECO exams. The Anambra State Police Command, led by CP Ikioye Orutugu, has been urged to intervene and locate her, while community leaders call for better support for vulnerable children.
Social media reactions, including posts on X, reflect public anger, with users like @Chukwubuikem87 stating, “The auntie didn’t think about the implications of pushing her out at night. Her parents should be ashamed.” The incident underscores the need for stronger family communication, community vigilance, and government action to protect children.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring Chinenye’s safety and preventing similar tragedies in the future. What are your thoughts on who is to blame? Share them in the comments below.
