A disturbing case of alleged child abuse has led to a man's detention in Lagos, after he was accused of severely injuring his stepdaughter with a wooden plank embedded with nails.
A Neighbour's Grisly Discovery
The incident, which occurred on January 1, 2025, around 9:00 AM, was reported to authorities by a concerned neighbour, Onabanjo Opeoluwa. According to Opeoluwa's account, the stepfather is known to habitually maltreat the young girl, identified as Chilotam, with the girl's biological mother, Mrs. Chinwendu, allegedly covering up the abuse.
Onabanjo stated that upon being alerted, he and his security guard forced open the gate to the residence at No. 11 Yale Okeowo, off Community Road, Ago, Okota. They found a horrific scene: Chilotam was bleeding profusely from a head wound, with her mother holding her down as she lay in a growing pool of blood.
Mother's Alleged Complicity and Hospital Dash
"The bleeding was beyond control," Onabanjo narrated. He claimed that when he intervened, the mother challenged him, stating he could do nothing as it was her daughter. Demonstrating what he described as heartlessness, the mother allegedly attempted to mislead them, claiming the girl's injuries were from a fall.
Fearing for the girl's life, Onabanjo and others rushed her to Joomak Hospital in Ago, Okota. He personally paid fifty-five thousand Naira for her immediate treatment, noting she was exceedingly weak upon arrival. The hospital responded swiftly, and the girl is now reported to be in stable condition.
Community Action and Police Involvement
The neighbour, a self-described living witness to previous incidents of maltreatment, expressed grave concern that the abuse would escalate further. "We currently need more hands on this case of maltreatment before they kill her the third time," he pleaded.
His fears were compounded by an alleged attempt by the mother to hit the girl on the same injured spot while they were en route to the clinic. He has labelled both parents as "demonic" for their actions and called for them to be kept behind bars for correction.
As a result of the report, the police have been involved. The stepfather is currently in detention, awaiting further investigation. Authorities plan to obtain a full statement from Chilotam once she has recovered sufficiently from her injuries.
This case has sparked outrage and serves as a stark reminder of the hidden horrors of domestic violence and child abuse within some communities, underscoring the critical role vigilant neighbours can play in protecting the vulnerable.
