Teen Girl Expl0ited by Grandmother and Mason in Akwete: Community Reacts as Police Get Involve 
The He@rtbreaking Story of Young Nancy in Akwete: Expl0itation, Poverty, and Community Intervention
In a small town called Akwete in Ukwa East, Abia State, a tragic story has come to light that has shaken the community to its core. At the center of this tale is a 14-year-old girl named Nancy, whose grandmother, Mama Evelyn, allegedly exploited her granddaughter’s trust and innocence. What was supposed to be a temporary arrangement with a local mason, Mr. Anthony—who is popularly known in the community as “engineer”—turned into a h0rrifying situation of manipulátion and ab¥se.
This story has caught the attention of the Akwete youth, local authorities, and everyday people across Nigeria, sparking important conversations about child protection, poverty, and the responsibility communities have to protect their young and v¥lnerable.
How It All Started
Mr. Anthony, a mason from Owerri, had been working on a building site in Akwete and needed a place to stay during his time on the job. By chance, he connected with Mama Evelyn, a grandmother living in Akwete, who kindly offered him a room to stay in for convenience while he completed his work. What seemed like a simple act of hospitality quickly took a dark turn.
In the household, 14-year-old Nancy lived with her grandmother, helping her with household chores and running errands. Nancy’s life was already one marked by hard work and resilience; she had been doing her best to help her grandmother maintain the home and handle everyday tasks. But soon, her life would take an unimaginable turn.
According to the community, shortly after Mr. Anthony moved in, Mama Evelyn began asking him for financial support to help maintain the household. From money for cooking food to buying essentials like clothes and other necessities, it became clear that Mama Evelyn saw Mr. Anthony as more than just a guest. In the words of the locals, “Mr. Anthony has taken on the role of both husband to Mama Evelyn and father to Nancy.” He was not only covering household expenses but also seemed to have a strong influence over both grandmother and granddaughter.
But Mr. Anthony’s involvement in the household went beyond financial contributions. Locals began to notice that he would discipline Nancy, even over minor issues, often with little or no opposition from her grandmother. As one neighbor put it, “Nancy was being treated as if she were the man’s child, even though he was merely a guest in their home.”
Nancy’s Chilling Confession
One day, Nancy confided in some members of the community about the horrors she had been enduring. According to Nancy, her grandmother had started making Mr. Anthony sleep in her room, something that frightened the young girl. She recounted tearfully how, night after night, he would make inappropriate requests, asking her to kiss him and touch him. Despite her fear, Nancy tried to resist, but each time, Mr. Anthony would complain to her grandmother in the morning. Instead of support, Nancy received harsh scolding from her grandmother, who would even withhold food if Nancy refused to comply with Mr. Anthony’s demands.
Tragically, things escalated. One night, Mr. Anthony forced himself on Nancy, an act of abuse that left her deeply scarred. Now, Nancy is pregnant, carrying a burden no child her age should ever bear. Her emotional cries of pain and fear have left the community heartbroken, sparking outrage and a push for justice.
When the details of Nancy’s situation surfaced, the Akwete youth wasted no time. They conducted their own investigation to gather information, verifying Nancy’s story and understanding the roles both her grandmother and Mr. Anthony had played in this situation. Armed with the facts, they reported the case to the police, who quickly responded by summoning Mr. Anthony, Mama Evelyn, and Nancy.
As it stands, both Mama Evelyn and Mr. Anthony are now in police custody, awaiting further investigation and the next steps from the authorities.
The people of Akwete are devastated by this revelation, with many expressing shock and anger over how a grandmother could allow such exploitation in her own home. While Mama Evelyn’s actions remain indefensible, some community members have pointed to the desperation caused by poverty as a contributing factor. In their view, economic hardship can sometimes push people to make choices they otherwise wouldn’t. However, they were quick to condemn the situation as a whole, emphasizing that no amount of poverty should justify exploiting or harming a child.
One community elder commented, “This man, Anthony, took advantage of both the old woman and her granddaughter. This kind of exploitation shows how vulnerable poverty can make people. But we must stand up as a community to protect our children from such dangers.”
The Call for Change
This trãgic situation highlights the urgent need for stronger protections for vulnerable children like Nancy, especially in rural areas where poverty levels are high and support systems may be limited. Local advocates are calling for increased awareness of child rights and for support from the government to ensure that no child has to endure such abuse. Furthermore, communities like Akwete are recognizing the importance of stepping in and taking action when they suspect harm is being done, especially to minors who might not have the power to protect themselves.
As Nancy’s case moves forward, many are hoping that justice will be served—not only for her but for countless other children who are abused in the society. The intervention of the police would serve as a deterrent to others involved in such act.
