Shock gripped the Igando community in Lagos after a couple, Paul Onyeama and Adline Ogbonna, allegedly beat their 10-year-old adopted daughter, Faith, to death.
The fatal incident occurred on Sunday, reportedly capping off weeks of persistent physical abuse and forced labour.
Despite being ill for a fortnight, Faith was allegedly subjected to continued assaults by the couple until her body finally gave out.
He said: “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.
“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.”
Upon realizing the girl was unresponsive, the suspects rushed her to a nearby hospital, where medical staff confirmed she was dead on arrival.
News of the tragedy sparked outrage among local youths, who intercepted and detained the woman.
Her husband, who had reportedly left the scene to secure a tricycle to dispose of the body, was also apprehended by the mob upon his return.
“The moment the girl died, they kept her corpse in the room and acted as though nothing had happened. The wife even came out this morning to cook in the kitchen like nothing had happened.
“It was residents who had been observing what was going on that raised the alarm about the whereabouts of the girl before they discovered that she had died.
“If they had succeeded in disposing of the body, no one would have known her whereabouts,” the resident said.
Following a report to the Igando Police Division, officers moved in to arrest the couple and secure the victim’s body.
Despite the suspects’ claims that the girl died while being treated for an ailment, investigators found she was already dead upon arrival at the medical facility.
The investigation has now been escalated to the State CID in Panti, Yaba, for further scrutiny.
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