Teen domestic worker scalded with hot water in Abuja sparks national outrage

A 16 year old girl is currently recovering in a hospital after she was allegedly attacked with hot water by her employer in the Gwarinpa area of Abuja. The assault, which left the teenager with severe burns, has been confirmed by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), which says it is now investigating the case.

The agency revealed that the incident came to light following a distress call from concerned neighbors who reportedly witnessed the attack. The victim, who hails from Imo State and is from a family of 12, was working as a domestic help in the household and had been placed in charge of caring for three children including two month old twins and a seven year old boy.

According to NAPTIP, neighbors intervened quickly after the alleged assault and rushed the girl to a nearby hospital before notifying the agency. “The neighbors acted swiftly by taking the victim to a nearby hospital and reaching out to us. This facilitated a prompt rescue operation,” the agency stated in a press release.

The teenager was reportedly responsible for the children while the employer worked night shifts. Although the precise circumstances that led to the attack have not been made public, reports allege that she was doused with hot water, resulting in serious burns to her body.

NAPTIP has confirmed that a full investigation is now underway and has assured the public that legal action will be taken. “All parties involved in the assault will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the agency said, without releasing further details on the identity of the employer or the current status of any arrest.

The case has added to growing concern over domestic violence involving the use of hot water as a weapon. In 2022, a woman in Ogun State fatally scalded her husband with hot water during a domestic dispute. A year later, in 2023, a landlord in Mowe was accused of pouring hot water on an 11 year old girl.

Human rights advocates say the pattern is troubling and reveals deeper issues related to violence in domestic spaces particularly when it involves vulnerable individuals such as minors working as domestic staff. In many cases, these workers have limited legal protection and no formal recourse when abuse occurs.

The fact that the victim is only 16 years old has further fueled public anger. Child labor laws prohibit the employment of minors in hazardous conditions, yet cases like this continue to surface, often after irreversible harm has been done.

The role of the neighbors in this case has been widely praised. Their immediate response both in seeking medical attention and alerting authorities may have prevented the incident from becoming fatal. It also highlights the importance of community intervention in abuse cases that are often hidden behind closed doors.