- How Lagos Couple Allegedly Brutalised Adopted Daughter to Death, Hid Remains
- Neighbours said Faith had shown signs of neglect long before her death
- Both suspects are currently in police custody
Residents of Jemesi Papa Street in Egan, Igando area of Lagos are still grappling with shock following the tragic death of a 10-year-old girl, identified simply as Faith, under disturbing circumstances linked to alleged abuse and neglect.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that what began as a quiet Sunday night at a modest compound on No. 16 has since unfolded into a painful story that has left the entire neighbourhood shaken.
EDITOR’S PICK
- 10 Nigerians Convicted in US Over $125m Internet Fraud Scheme
- Ikeja Electric Implements Load Shedding Amid Power Shortage
- Body of Man Killed by Police in Delta Not Missing – Police Command
According to residents, the young girl had been ill for about two weeks before her death. However, neighbours claimed that despite her condition, she continued to endure harsh treatment and physical abuse.
The situation reportedly escalated on Sunday night when the couple identified as Paul Onyeama and his wife, Adline, allegedly assaulted the already sick child. She later died from the injuries, according to accounts from the community.
Both suspects are currently in police custody.
Suspicion Begins with Strange Movements
A resident, Ferdinand Igwe, who lives opposite the couple, said the first sign that something was wrong came late Sunday night.
“I came back around 10 or 11pm and was about to cook when I noticed movement. I saw about eight to 10 strange men entering our compound through the backyard,” he said.
“I had never seen them before. I turned off my light and watched from my window. The way they came in quietly made me suspicious. I didn’t know if they were criminals or relatives.”
Although the men later left, Igwe said the unusual visit left him unsettled.
By Monday morning, the woman’s behaviour raised further concern.
“She is the type that goes to the market very early, before 7am. But that morning, she was still at home, lying quietly in the backyard,” he said.
“I approached her and asked if she was okay. She didn’t answer… She looked worried, like something was seriously wrong.”
Discovery That Shocked the Community
The situation took a dramatic turn later that morning when a group of women entered the apartment.
“About 10 or 11 women came in and entered her room. Moments later, cries erupted. I heard them shouting, ‘She’s dead! She’s dead!’” Igwe recalled.
Determined to find out what happened, he forced his way into the room.
“I touched the girl, and she was already stiff. That was when I realised she had been dead for some time. They had already put cotton wool in her nose and mouth.”
The discovery quickly drew other residents, many of whom reacted with anger.
Another resident, Angela Orji, said the situation nearly turned violent.
“When people came around to see the corpse, they were furious. When they heard what had been happening to the child, they attempted to beat the woman,” she said.
“It took the intervention of others to stop them. They said she should wait for the police.”
Signs of Prolonged Abuse
Neighbours said Faith had shown signs of neglect long before her death.
“If you saw the girl, you would not believe she belonged to that family,” Orji said.
“She looked malnourished… She was always carrying heavy loads, sometimes even a 6kg gas cylinder. A small girl doing that kind of work.”
Residents also claimed she was not enrolled in school and was frequently sent on errands despite being ill.
“Sometimes you would hear her crying… The girl had been sick for about two weeks, but instead of taking care of her, they kept sending her on errands,” she added.
Alleged Attempt to Conceal Death
Residents further alleged that the girl’s body may have been kept in the room overnight.
There were also suspicions that the father attempted to remove the body.
“He said he went to look for a vehicle,” another resident, Ajoke, said.
“I asked him, ‘Vehicle for what?’ He said he wanted to carry the girl somewhere. We thought he might be trying to dispose of the body.”
Conflicting Claims Over Death
A civil society advocate, Taofeek Adekunle, said the suspect initially claimed the girl died at the hospital.
“When I called the doctor, he confirmed that the child was brought in dead and already cold,” he said.
Police sources also confirmed that preliminary findings suggest the girl had died before she was taken for medical attention.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti for further investigation.
A Child Far From Home
Further findings revealed that Faith was brought to Lagos about six months ago from Ebonyi State and was living with the suspects, who are said to be relatives.
Residents, however, said she was treated differently from the couple’s biological children.
“She took good care of her own children but treated the girl badly,” one neighbour said.
“She did not allow her to go to school… there were marks on her body.”
Community in Shock
For many residents, the incident remains difficult to process.
“I have never seen anything like this before,” one resident said. “To think that this was happening around us is shocking.”
As investigations continue, calls for justice have intensified for the young girl whose life ended under such tragic circumstances.
