A10-year-old girl identified as Faith has died in Lagos State following alleged prolonged abuse and maltreatment by her guardians.
The tragic incident occurred at Jemesi Papa Street, Modina Road, Egan, in the Igando area of Lagos.
SaharaReporters gathered that the deceased had been living with a couple, identified as Adline Ogbonna and Onyema Paul, who allegedly subjected her to inhumane treatment before her death.
Speaking with SaharaReporters on Monday, the Lagos Coordinator of the TIB Movement, Adekunle Taofeeq, who visited the scene, narrated disturbing details surrounding the incident.
He narrated, “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. 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. 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.
“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.
“When we arrived this morning, we confirmed the situation. I took photographs and recorded videos, then moved to evacuate the body. However, when the man arrived with a wheelbarrow, he attempted to move the corpse. Neighbours restrained him, as there were suspicions he intended to dispose of the body.
“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, and fortunately, the doctor there is someone I know. I contacted him regarding the case involving a child who had died in my area and was reportedly taken to the hospital.
“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 told SaharaReporters that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force from the Igando Division were alerted to the incident and subsequently moved to the scene.
The suspects, Adline Ogbonna and Onyema Paul, have since been arrested by the police, while efforts are ongoing to evacuate the child’s body for further investigation.