LAGOS – Nigerians are in total shock after a couple in Igando allegedly beat their adopted 10-year-old girl to death. The poor child, known as Faith, died on Sunday after weeks of cruel abuse. The suspects, Paul Onyeama and his wife Adline Ogbonna, lived on Jemesi Papa Street, Modina Road, Egan.…....
Community people say they adopted the little girl but treated her like a slave. They beat her every day and sent her on very hard errands even though she was only 10 years old.Neighbours revealed that Faith had been sick for about two weeks. But the couple did not stop the beating. On Sunday, they allegedly beat her very badly even while she was ill. She died right there from the beating.
Adekunle Taofeek, the Lagos coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, said he was at home when someone rushed to report the case. “The couple had adopted a 10-year-old girl. They had been consistently maltreating and assaulting the child, while also sending her on unnecessary errands,” he said. “I was informed that the girl had been sick for about two weeks, yet the abuse continued. Yesterday, both the husband and wife allegedly beat the child severely despite her condition, and sadly, she died.”
After the girl passed away, the couple hid her body inside the room. The wife was even cooking outside the next morning like nothing happened. The husband went out to look for a tricycle (keke) to throw away the body. But youths in the community caught him when he returned with the keke. They held both the husband and wife until police came.
Taofeek quickly called the DPO of Igando Division. The landlady reported the matter, and police officers arrived fast. They arrested the couple and took the girl’s body away. When questioned, the husband claimed the girl was sick and died at the hospital while receiving treatment. But Taofeek knows the doctor personally. He called the doctor, who confirmed the child was already dead and cold when they brought her in.
Taofeek promised the matter will not be swept under the carpet. The case has been sent to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti for proper investigation. The Lagos State Police Command has not yet given any official statement. Residents in Igando are angry and demand justice for the innocent 10-year-old girl.
