I’ve known him for 4 years, 19-year-old mother of baby assaulted by father speaks

Favour Chikwe mother of two-month-old amputee baby

Favour Chikwe, mother of the two-month-old baby boy whose right arm was amputated in Imo State, has revealed that she met the child’s father, Confidence Amatobi, four years ago.

Mr Amatobi, 31, is accused of assaulting his two-month-old son, Miracle, and breaking the child’s arm in the process.

The native of Amurie in Isu LGA of Imo State allegedly flogged the child with a plastic cloth hanger because the child was disturbing his sleep.

 Speaking with BBC News Pidgin in a report published on Wednesday, Chikwe, who hails from Idemili Community, Anambra State, said she and Amatobi lived together before she went back to her aunt’s house in Anambra where she eventually gave birth.

According to the young mother, Amatobi came to see her at her aunt’s house and took her and their baby back to Imo.  

Chikwe, 19, disclosed that she left Miracle with his father on Friday, October 7, 2022, to ease herself when the incident occurred.

She recalled hearing her baby crying uncontrollably and rushed back only for her to discover that the right hand was swollen and bone broken.

 “Upon noticing that he has broken the baby’s hand, he used sticks and rubber bands to bind the broken bones together.

“When l confronted him about what he did, he locked us in the room, to prevent me from telling people about his wicked deed or seek for help. He also collected my phone from me, so that I will not call the neighbours,” she said.

Chikwe added that she took the baby to several hospitals in the community before eventually arriving at the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri where the amputation was done.