Residents of the Igando area of Lagos have been thrown into shock following the alleged killing of a 10-year-old adopted girl by her guardians, identified as Paul Onyeama and Adline Ogbonna.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on Sunday, came after weeks of alleged abuse.

Sources said the couple, who reside on Jemesi Papa Street, had repeatedly subjected the child, identified as Faith, to physical assault and excessive domestic labour despite her young age.

It was further gathered that the girl had been ill for about two weeks prior to the incident, but the alleged maltreatment continued.

A resident, Adekunle Taofeek, told newsmen on Monday that the situation took a fatal turn when the couple allegedly beat the ailing child severely.

“The couple adopted the girl but had been consistently maltreating her, beating her and sending her on unnecessary errands,” he said.

“I was informed that she had been sick for about two weeks, yet the abuse did not stop. On Sunday, both of them allegedly assaulted her again despite her condition, and she died.”

Following the incident, the suspects were said to have taken the child to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead on arrival.

Angered by the development, some youths in the community apprehended the woman, while the husband was later intercepted.

Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the man had earlier left the house to procure a tricycle, reportedly to dispose of the body.

“The moment the girl died, they kept her body in the room and carried on as if nothing had happened. It was concerned residents who raised the alarm after noticing her absence,” the source said.

The matter was subsequently reported at the Igando Police Division, prompting the deployment of operatives to the scene.

The couple was arrested, and the child’s body was recovered.

A police source disclosed that the suspects claimed the girl died while receiving treatment at a hospital.

“However, preliminary findings indicate that the child was already dead before she was taken to the medical facility. The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigation,” the source said.

Taofeek, who is the state coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, also confirmed that the hospital verified the child was brought in dead.

He added that efforts would be made to ensure justice is served.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, did not respond to calls or a text message as of the time of filing this report.

A similar incident was recorded in April 2025 in the Ojo area of the state, where a man allegedly beat his daughter to death.