A child rights advocacy organisation, Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN), has called on the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development to urgently intervene in the case of a seven-year-old girl allegedly brutalised by her biological father and stepmother.
In a letter signed by the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of ACVPN, Mr Ebenezer Omejalile, and addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, the group said the victim, identified as ‘Oladunjoye’ (other names withheld), suffered severe abuse resulting in multiple lacerations across her body and speech impairment.
According to the letter, the child’s situation was brought to the organisation’s attention on January 22, 2026.
She has been receiving treatment at Ayodele Medical Centre, where she was admitted on January 20 and remains under medical care.
The organisation commended the hospital for providing care and disclosed that members of the public had also offered support to the child through the facility after learning of her condition.
ACVPN stated that it contacted officials of the ministry’s Child Development Department on January 22 and January 25, submitting evidence and requesting urgent protective placement for the child to prevent further trauma.
The group alleged that while the father was initially arrested before the child was taken to the hospital, the stepmother is currently on the run.
It added that ministry officials reportedly assured the organisation that the matter would be handled through the Family Social Services Annex office in Oko-Oba Local Council Development Area, but no concrete action has been taken so far.
The organisation described its appeal as a “passionate call” for immediate intervention, urging the ministry to ensure that the child is placed in protective care and safeguarded from further harm.
ACVPN said it is awaiting a prompt response from the ministry and expressed hope that the authorities would take decisive steps to secure the child’s safety and well-being.
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