14-year-old girl commits suicide over alleged abuse by father, stepmother
In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded in Lagos State‘s Shogunle community, 14-year-old Desola Adeoye reportedly took her own life amidst allegations of abuse by her father, Sunday Adeoye, and stepmother.
According to reports from Vanguard, Desola had just returned from her summer school lesson when her stepmother began to threaten her, claiming that her father would subject her to harsh treatment upon his return.
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Distressed by this threat, Desola allegedly sneaked out of the house and consumed insecticide that had been stored there.
She was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but tragically, she did not survive.
Disturbingly, her father reportedly attempted to quickly retrieve her body with the intention of burying her secretly. However, this plan was thwarted when personnel from the Shogunle Divisional Police Station, alerted by concerned neighbours, intervened.
A concerned neighbour, who contacted the non-governmental organization Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN), shared details of the incident with Vanguard.
They revealed that Desola and her two younger sisters were routinely subjected to domestic violence by their father and stepmother whenever they made a mistake.
“Desola took her own life out of fear of constant physical abuse by her father,” the neighbour stated.
The Shogunle Community Development Association in Oshodi had, on numerous occasions, cautioned the father and stepmother to cease the physical abuse inflicted on their children, especially on the late Desola Adeoye.
In response to this tragic event, Mr. Ebenezer Omejalile, the Chief Operating Officer of ACVPN, called upon the Lagos State government, Nigeria Police, and Nigeria Bar Association to swiftly intervene.
He urged them to rescue the remaining two children who are still under the care of the couple and ensure justice for the late Desola.