- 10-Year-Old Girl Dies After Alleged Maltreatment By Guardians In Lagos
- Neighbours raise alarm leading to police intervention and arrests
- Suspects in custody as investigation into incident continues
A 10 year old girl identified as Faith has died in Lagos State following alleged prolonged abuse by her guardians.
The incident occurred at Jemesi Papa Street, Modina Road, Egan, in the Igando area, sparking outrage among residents.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that sources said the child had been living with a couple, Adline Ogbonna and Onyema Paul, who allegedly subjected her to repeated maltreatment before her death.
Faith was reportedly taken from her village to stay with the couple, believed to be relatives, but was allegedly exposed to neglect and physical abuse.
The Lagos Coordinator of the TIB Movement, Adekunle Taofeeq, who visited the scene, gave details of the events leading to the incident.
“On getting there, I was informed that a girl was living with a couple. I was told she is the wife’s sister’s daughter, taken from the village to live with them. Since then, she has allegedly been subjected to maltreatment,” he said.
“I was also told that the girl had been sick since about two weeks ago. Even in that condition, she was still being mistreated and beaten. She was reportedly given a bucket to fetch water while she was ill.”
He added, “As I said, I was informed that the wife and husband were beating the child inside the room. We do not exactly know what happened, but there were reports of assault.”
Taofeeq said neighbours became concerned when the child was not seen for some time, leading to suspicions about her condition.
“This morning, someone suspected she might have died inside the house, though the circumstances were still unclear. The wife was reportedly cooking and washing plates outside while the child’s body remained inside the room, unnoticed by neighbours,” he said.
“When we arrived this morning, we confirmed the situation. I took photographs and recorded videos, then moved to evacuate the body.”
He further alleged that the male guardian attempted to remove the body using a wheelbarrow but was stopped by neighbours.
Providing more details, Taofeeq said the suspect claimed the girl had been taken to a hospital while still alive.
“I personally questioned him about what happened. He said the girl had been sick and that they took her to the hospital while she was still alive. I asked which hospital… I contacted the doctor,” he said.
“The doctor told me the girl was brought in dead. However, the man had claimed she was alive at the time, apparently in an attempt to cover up what happened.
“The doctor further explained that before she was taken to the hospital, she was first taken to a nearby pharmacy, where it was also confirmed that she was already dead on arrival.”
Sources said operatives of the Nigeria Police Force from the Igando Division were alerted and moved to the scene.
The suspects, Adline Ogbonna and Onyema Paul, have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to evacuate the child’s body for further investigation.
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