A 10-year-old girl identified as Faith has reportedly died following weeks of alleged abuse and neglect in the Igando area of Lagos State, sparking outrage and shock among residents of Jemesi Papa Street, Egan.
The tragic incident is said to have unfolded in a residential compound at No. 16, where neighbours claim the child had been living under harsh conditions with a couple identified as Paul Onyeama and his wife, Adline, both of whom are now in police custody.
According to residents, the girl had been ill for about two weeks before her death, yet was allegedly still subjected to mistreatment and strenuous chores. The situation reportedly worsened on Sunday night when she was allegedly assaulted while already in a weak condition, leading to her death.
Neighbours said suspicions began to rise after unusual activities were noticed in the compound, including the arrival of strange visitors late at night. A resident who witnessed events from his room described seeing unfamiliar men entering the compound quietly, which he later found suspicious.
Tension in the area escalated the following morning when the woman involved behaved unusually and remained silent when approached by neighbours. Later that day, a group of women entered the apartment and raised an alarm after discovering the child’s lifeless body.
Residents said Faith’s body was found inside the room, already stiff, with signs suggesting she had been dead for some time. The discovery triggered anger in the community, with some residents attempting to confront the suspects before calm was restored.
Further accounts from neighbours described long-term neglect, alleging that the child was malnourished, not enrolled in school, and frequently made to carry out heavy domestic tasks beyond her age. Some also claimed they often heard cries coming from the apartment.
The situation became more disturbing after allegations emerged that an attempt may have been made to move or conceal the body before the discovery became public.
Police officers from the Igando Division were eventually called to the scene, where the couple was arrested and the child’s body recovered. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti for further investigation.
Reports also indicate that the child was brought to Lagos from Ebonyi State about six months ago and was related to the female suspect. Despite living with the couple, residents alleged she was treated differently from their biological children and denied access to schooling.
Authorities are still investigating the exact circumstances surrounding her death, while the community continues to demand justice for the young girl.
