13-Year-Old Girl Favour Nuhu in Owerri Battles to Regain Sight After Alleged Abuse by Guardian

 

A young girl’s cry for help has sparked a chain of events that is now drawing both public sympathy and legal attention. Favour Nuhu, a 13-year-old girl living in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, has been rescued from an abusive environment where she suffered a severe eye injury allegedly inflicted by her guardian.

Her ordeal came to light through the  intervention of the Stand For Humanity Foundation, a non-governmental organization focused on human rights advocacy and child protection. The rescue mission was carried out last Friday following a tip-off about Favour’s deteriorating condition and the mistreatment she endured.

Chidiebube Okeoma, the founder of the Foundation, shared the shocking details of Favour’s condition during a press briefing held on Tuesday. According to Okeoma, immediate medical attention was provided after the girl was secured from her abusive surroundings. It quickly became evident, however, that her situation required more than basic care.

Doctors and optometrists who examined Favour confirmed that the damage to her right eye was extensive. Her vision could not be restored through conventional treatments. Only a surgical intervention offered any hope of salvaging what remained of her eyesight.

"The medical team was deeply concerned about the extent of the trauma," Okeoma explained. "The pressure in her injured eye had reached 31 percent, which far exceeds the safe upper limit of 25 percent. A large boil had also formed on the eye, leading to the development of cataracts. This damage is not something medication alone can fix. Surgery is her only chance at regaining vision."

The organization is not only offering medical support, but has also vowed to pursue justice for the young girl. Okeoma disclosed that the Foundation’s legal team has already been briefed and is prepared to take up the case. For now, the legal process hinges on the conclusion of the police investigation, which is currently underway.

Expressing his commitment to the cause, Okeoma emphasized that the Foundation will not rest until Favour receives full medical care and her abuser is held accountable. “We are determined to see this through to the end. Favour is not just a victim; she represents countless other children who suffer silently under abusive guardianships. Her case must become a symbol of justice,” he said.

The incident has drawn the attention and support of the Imo State Government. In a significant show of solidarity, the Executive Secretary of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency has pledged to cover the entire cost of Favour’s surgery and subsequent treatments.

This gesture was welcomed warmly by the Foundation, which has expressed gratitude for the government’s willingness to intervene swiftly. Okeoma lauded the collaboration and urged more institutions to join in protecting vulnerable children.

“This act of kindness by the Imo State Government demonstrates that leadership can be compassionate and responsive,” he noted. “When institutions take responsibility for the well-being of our children, we all win as a society.”

The community response has also been notable, with residents of Owerri and beyond expressing outrage over the cruelty inflicted on the young girl. Social media platforms are buzzing with messages of support for Favour and calls for the strict prosecution of the alleged perpetrator.

The broader conversation around child abuse, particularly in domestic settings where children are placed in the care of relatives or guardians, has also gained traction. Advocates are calling for stronger monitoring mechanisms and public education to prevent similar cases.

Favour Nuhu’s road to recovery will not be easy, but the outpouring of support and the coordinated actions of both civil society and government institutions provide a glimmer of hope. As the legal and medical processes unfold, one thing is clear: this young girl’s courage, and the swift response of her rescuers, have ignited a movement for justice and healing.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the success of her treatment and the legal consequences for the individual responsible for her suffering. For now, Favour remains under close medical observation, with plans for her surgery already underway. The nation watches closely, hoping this will be a turning point in how society responds to child abuse.