A tragic incident in the Igando area of Lagos State has sparked outrage after a couple allegedly beat their 10-year-old adopted daughter to death.
9News Nigeria reports that the suspects, identified as Paul Onyeama and Adline Ogbonna, are accused of subjecting the child, Faith, to prolonged abuse before her death on Sunday.
Residents of Jemesi Papa Street, where the incident occurred, said the child had endured weeks of physical assault and neglect. Witnesses claimed that despite being ill for about two weeks, the girl was allegedly forced to carry out strenuous tasks and was repeatedly beaten.
A resident, Adekunle Taofeek, told 9News Nigeria that the situation escalated when the couple allegedly assaulted the already ailing child, leading to her death.
According to him, “The girl had been sick, yet the abuse did not stop. On Sunday, she was beaten again, and that was how she died.”
It was gathered that the suspects later took the child to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead on arrival.
Suspicion grew within the community after the girl was not seen for some time, prompting concerned residents to question her whereabouts. Their inquiries led to the discovery of her death, triggering outrage among youths in the area.
Sources said the suspects allegedly attempted to conceal the incident, with claims that plans were being made to dispose of the body before residents intervened.
The situation quickly escalated as angry youths apprehended the couple and alerted the police.
Operatives from the Igando Police Division subsequently arrived at the scene, arrested the suspects, and recovered the child’s body.
A police source disclosed that preliminary findings indicate the victim was already dead before being taken to the hospital, contradicting claims by the suspects that she died during treatment.
“The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigation,” the source added.
Meanwhile, residents and civil society advocates have called for justice, describing the incident as a disturbing case of child abuse that must not go unpunished.
