The Kogi State Government has vowed to prosecute a 40-year-old man, Elisha Daniel, accused of raping a three-year-old girl.

The act, described as “barbaric” by officials, has sparked outrage, with authorities emphasising that such behaviour cannot be tolerated in society.

Addressing journalists in Lokoja on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring justice.

He revealed that Governor Usman Ododo has directed state officials to collaborate closely with the Nigerian Police Force to expedite the suspect’s prosecution.

“The Chief Servant of the State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has given a marching order to the Secretary to the State Government and other officials to work closely with the Nigerian Police Force to ensure the accused is prosecuted without delay,” Fanwo said.

He added, “Our society must have zero tolerance for such heinous acts. The law must not only bark but bite hard to send a clear message that such behaviour will not be condoned.

“The governor has also directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure the right legal framework is applied to secure justice for the little girl and the society at large.”

Fanwo reaffirmed the government’s dedication to protecting the girl child, labelling the crime as both “criminal and condemnable.”

“The accused must explain his actions in court and to the public. Justice must prevail, and we will ensure this case sets a precedent for handling such abominable acts in the state,” Fanwo declared.

Additionally, the governor has tasked the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development with providing immediate support to the victim to help her recover from the trauma.

He said the government is also committed to showing the child and her family that they are not alone in this fight.

The suspect, who was apprehended by the police following a report from a government official, is said to be cooperating with investigators.

In this interview with IMOLEAYO OYEDEYI, widowed mother of a three-year-old pupil assaulted by a female teacher at Christ-Miltos Primary School, Ikorodu, Lagos, Mrs Adenike Okunlaya, recounts how the incident played out and her daily struggles to fend for her son since her husband’s death three years ago.

Can you explain how the whole incident happened?

The incident happened on Monday (January 6, 2025). I am also a teacher in the school. I teach Nursery Two, while my son is in Nursery One. On that very day, I was in my class while my colleague, the teacher in question, was also in her class. Suddenly, I heard, ‘Write six; write six’. Later, another colleague brought her phone to show me the video. So, I sent it to my phone and forwarded it to one of my friends.

Before then, have there been instances of such from the woman?

Yes, my boy usually complained to me that the teacher beat him often, but I thought it was just the usual spanking. I didn’t take it seriously because the woman was my colleague at work. However, when I saw the video, I felt sad. That was why I sent the video to my friend, who shared it with another person. I guess that was how the tape got leaked.

But when you saw the video, did you challenge the teacher or make an official complaint to the management office?

No, I didn’t challenge her, and I did not make any report. I only showed the video to my pastor, who reported the case to the headmistress. I felt bad about the way my son was treated. All I want is justice for him.

When the video surfaced on social media, what was the response of the school management?

They felt really bad because they had always warned the teachers against beating the pupils. They always told us not to beat children.

Some people said the teacher was fond of beating children in such a manner. How true is this?

Regarding that, truly, the woman often beats children a lot.

But has any parent complained of such before yours happened?

Well, I can’t say. But the school management always warned us, and even the women, to stop beating children. Most times, they told us during meetings that parents were complaining and that we should stop beating their children.

Was your son hospitalised after the assault?

Yes, we had to take him to the Ikorodu General Hospital. The doctor said his ears had been affected. So, they directed us to a department in the hospital for a medical check-up of his ears. The doctors gave us a medical report, which is still with Supo Bola at the Owutu Police Station.

We plan to take the report to the ear-care department once we get back from the Ministry of Youths and Social Development today (Friday). The commissioner asked us to bring the boy today (Friday). All I am after is to get justice for my son.

We learnt that the management of the school sacked the woman. When did that happen?

They sacked the teacher on Tuesday before the police came to arrest her.

We heard that the school seized your phone. When did that happen, and have they returned it?

Yes, they seized it on Tuesday because people called me endlessly through the phone as the video went viral. Those who called were asking me all sorts of questions. I guess that was why the school seized the phone. But they returned it to me on Thursday.

We learnt that you are a widow. When did you lose your husband?

It has been three years now since he died. We only had this son before he died. Since he passed, I have been fending for the son myself. I engage in all manners of menial work just for us to survive. I teach in the school and help people wash dirty clothes and clean their houses. Despite my struggles, I did not owe any tuition fees.

A 45-year-old teacher, Stella Nwadigo, has been remanded by the Ogba Chief Magistrate Court on Thursday for assaulting a three-year-old pupil of Christ-Mitos Primary School in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

A viral video on Wednesday showed Nwadigbo slapping the toddler at intervals for not learning to write numbers fast.

The video attracted public condemnation and outrage, leading to the teacher’s arrest.

During the arraignment, the police prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at about 11 am.

Raji said the incident occurred at the Chris Mistot School in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

He said she indecently dealt with a three-year-old pupil of the school in her class one, Abayomi Michael, by giving him injury on his face.

The prosecutor also told the court that the defendant assaulted Abayomi by giving him fist blows consistently on his face, which caused him injury and swollen face.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened Sections 135 and 172, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

Consequently, Magistrate Olabisi Kusanu granted her bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum who are gainfully employed.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement obtained by TheNigerian Metro on Thursday, stated that the suspect was remanded at the Kirikiri correctional facility until February 18, when the case would continue.

The police spokesman added that the pupil had been taken to a medical facility for a proper check-up.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned Stella Nwadigo, aged 45, for indecent treatment and assault of a child.

“The suspect, who was arraigned in Magistrate Court 1, Ogba today, January 9, 2025, had been captured in a viral video indecently treating and assaulting a three-year-old pupil of a primary school in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

“Following receipt of the video, the Family Support Unit of Ikorodu Police Division promptly arrested the suspect on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, and transferred her to the Gender Unit of the Command Headquarters the same day after preliminary investigations. The victim was taken to a medical facility for adequate medical attention.

“The suspect has since been remanded to the Kirikiri correctional facility till February 18, 2025, when the case comes up for continuation of hearing.”

Hundeyin further stated that the Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, commended Nigerians for promptly reporting the incident and assured them of the command’s readiness to respond to situations ensuring the safety and security of Lagos residents and visitors.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency in an update on X.com on Thursday stated that the teacher pleaded not guilty to the charges read to her.

The statement read, “Following the ongoing viral case of child abuse, all concerned parties appeared today, January 9, 2024, at the Ogba Magistrate Court.

“The matter was assigned to Magistrate M.O. Kusanu. Two charges were read to the suspect, to which she pled not guilty.”

The statement added, “Her defence counsel applied for bail, which the court set at N200,000 and two verifiable sureties.

However, the management of the school has announced the suspension of the teacher.

In the statement, the school condemned the teacher’s action, describing it as unacceptable.

The statement read in part, “We are aware of a deeply troubling incident involving a teacher engaging in physical discipline of a student in a completely unacceptable manner.

“As an institution deeply committed to fostering a culture of respect, care and dignity, we are horrified by this incident and wish to make it clear that such actions will not be tolerated.

“In response, the teacher involved has been suspended indefinitely, while a thorough investigation is being conducted,” it said.

The school said that its immediate and decisive action reflected its zero tolerance for misconduct and its obligation to safeguard every child under its care.

“As such, we have an open door policy to provide students, parents and guardians with a safe space to voice any concerns without fear,” it said.

The school said that it had apologised to the pupil and his family.

“We have reached out to them to express our regret. We ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we work to address this matter responsibly and comprehensively.

“We will be organising mandatory training sessions for teachers to reinforce child protection protocols, emphasise positive disciplinary practices, and cultivate greater sensitivity in interactions with students, ” it added.

According to the school, it has also introduced a whistle-blowing system to encourage prompt reporting of inappropriate behaviour.

TheNigerian Metro reports that Nwadigo was arrested after a viral video shared on X by Oyindamola, @dammiedammie35 an X user, captured her brutally slapping the three-year-old pupil.

The disturbing footage revealed an incident of physical abuse, as Nwadigo in the video is seen repeatedly slapping the young pupil for failing to follow writing instructions.

Stella Nwadigo, a teacher arrested for physically assaulting a three-year-old pupil at Christ-Mitots International School in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, appeared before Magistrate M.O. Kusanu at the Ogba Magistrate Court on Thursday.

Nwadigo, who was apprehended after a video surfaced online showing her repeatedly slapping the young child, Abayomi Micheal, reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charges read to her. 

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency disclosed this in an update on X.com on Thursday.

The statement read, “Following the ongoing viral case of child abuse, all concerned parties appeared today, 9th January 2024, at the Ogba Magistrate Court. (sic)

“The matter was assigned to Magistrate M.O. Kusanu. Two charges were read to the suspect, to which she pled not guilty.”

Nwadigo’s defence counsel was said to have applied for bail, which the court reportedly set at N200,000.

The statement added, “Her defense counsel applied for bail, which the court set at ₦200,000 and two verifiable sureties.

“The suspect has been remanded in a correctional facility, and the case is adjourned to the 18th January 2024 for trial.”

TheNigerian reports that the viral video, which showed Nwadigo repeatedly slapping Abayomi while attempting to teach him how to write the number six, ignited public outrage, leading to widespread calls for justice.

Nwadigo was also suspended by the school’s management, while Abayomi was reportedly hospitalised following the incident.

The management of Christ-Mitots International School in Isawo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, has suspended one of its teachers, Stella Nwadigo who was accused of mistreating and physically abusing a three-year-old boy, Abayomi Micheal.

A video shared on X Wednesday by a tweep identified as Oyindamola tweeting as #dammiedammie35, captured the teacher slapping the child.

However, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency on Wednesday confirmed the teacher’s arrest.

“We appreciate everyone who brought the disturbing incident of a teacher who was recorded physically abusing a 3-year-old boy to our attention.

“We are pleased to inform the public that the teacher in question has been arrested by Owutu FSU, and an investigation has commenced in earnest,” the statement read, among others

On Thursday, the school management announced Nwadigo’s suspension while, describing development as a “troubling incident,” saying the teacher’s act is “contrary” to the school’s values and principles, The Cable reports.

“We are aware of a deeply troubling incident involving one of our teachers and a student, which has been circulating on social media,” the school’s statement reads in part.

“The video shows a teacher engaging in the physical discipline of a student in a manner that is completely unacceptable and contrary to the values and principles of our school. As an institution deeply committed to fostering a culture of respect, care, and dignity, we are horrified by this incident and wish to make unequivocally clear that such actions will not be tolerated.

“In response, the teacher involved has been suspended indefinitely while a thorough investigation is conducted. This immediate and decisive action reflects our zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct and our obligation to safeguard the safety and well-being of every child under our care.

“We extend our sincerest apologies to the student and their family. We have reached out to them personally to express our regret, after cur support, and ensure that their needs are fully addressed during this time.”

The management pledged its commitment to “ensure that such behaviour is never repeated. As such, we will be organising mandatory training sessions for teachers to reinforce child protection protocols, emphasise positive disciplinary practices and cultivate greater sensitivity in interactions with students.

“Additionally, we have introduced a confidential whistle-blowing system to encourage the prompt reporting of inappropriate behaviour.

“We ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we work to address this matter responsibly and comprehensively.”

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has confirmed the arrest of a teacher following a viral video showing the suspect allegedly physically abusing a three-year-old boy at a school in Ikorodu.

The announcement was made in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

The video, shared by Oyindamola, who identifies as #dammiedammie35, captured a female teacher slapping the child’s face.

The video was captioned, “Footage from Christ-Mitots School in Ikorodu, a teacher named Stella Nwadigo was witnessed mistreating and physically abusing a three-year-old boy, Abayomi Micheal.

The footage has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of our little ones in school.”

Reacting to the incident, the Lagos DSVA issued a statement expressing gratitude to those who brought the video to their attention.

The statement reads, “We appreciate everyone who brought the disturbing incident of a teacher who was recorded physically abusing a 3-year-old boy to our attention.

“We are pleased to inform the public that the teacher in question has been arrested by Owutu FSU, and an investigation has commenced in earnest.

The agency reiterated the state government’s commitment to protecting children, emphasizing that schools must be safe and nurturing spaces.

The statement added, “Indeed, institutions of learning should be safe, warm, and protective environments for all children in their care. The State Government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every child by enforcing strict regulations, holding offenders accountable, and working with stakeholders to promote a zero-tolerance policy for abuse in any form.

“If you have any additional information about this case or similar incidents, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via our toll-free hotline: 08000 333 333 or send a direct message on our social media platforms.”

Click the link below to watch the video:

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1877007653005672652?t=EniJrt6I6qcsyV5B-PvK1Q&s=19