Residents of Jemesi Papa Street in the Igando area of Lagos were thrown into mourning after a 10-year-old girl, identified simply as Faith, allegedly died following weeks of abuse by her foster parents.
The suspects, Paul Onyeama and Adline Ogbonna, were apprehended by youths in the community and later taken into custody by the Nigeria Police Force.
Witnesses said the child had been subjected to repeated physical abuse and forced to carry out strenuous errands.
A resident and Take It Back Movement state coordinator, Adekunle Taofeek, said Faith had been ill for about two weeks before her death, but the alleged abuse continued.
According to residents, the child died on Sunday, while the suspects allegedly kept her body in their room and attempted to continue with daily activities to avoid suspicion.
Community members became suspicious after asking about the child’s whereabouts and intercepted the couple before the body could be moved.
Police sources said the suspects claimed the girl died while receiving treatment at a hospital, but preliminary findings indicated she was brought in dead.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigation.
