The Head of Rescue and Referral, Advocates for Children And Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN), Comrade Okanlawon Toyin, has shared information on how he worked assiduously with other child protection groups to ensure a three-year-old boy, who was brutalised by a teacher because he could not write numerical figures.
The teacher, identified as 46-year-old Mrs Stella Nwadigo, was seen in a viral video repeatedly hitting the child as she attempted to guide him in writing the figures.
The incident occurred at Christ-Mitots School, located at No.5, Ifeoluwa Street, off Olainukan Street, Ishawo, Ikorodu.
The video caused outrage among many Nigerians, with some angrily calling for the head of Nwadigo.
According to Toyin, the woman was arrested by the Family Support Unit (FSU) of Owutu Division, with the directive of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Owutu, Ishawo Road, Ikorodu.
Toyin said: “Social investigation revealed the perpetrator was Initially employed as a cleaner before being upgraded as a teacher in same the school. It was not her first time physically assaulting pupils in the school as she had no boundaries.
“The video of the assault on the child was made available by a mandated reporter who circulated it on social media. It was overheard that the mandated reporter would be victimized by the school management.
“The DPO CSP. Olukayode Awe was duly professional on the case without leaving any stone unturned and directed the case should be transferred to the gender unit of the police command.
“Other nongovernmental organization networks, which share the same interest are also part of the intervention. I represented ACVPN on the case.”
The co-founder of ACVPN, Mr Ebenezer Omejalile, said: “This is the highest form of child cruelty by a supposed childminder, who is an animal in human skin! This sort of cruelty attracts so many consequences.
“The perpetrator has not only physically assaulted the child but has dehumanized the child in totality. Going by several slaps, the right ear of the child may have been damaged, which can lead to deafness unwarranted.
“Secondly, there should be necessary interventions, proper medical examination such as E&T, psychological treatment and rebuild the child’s self-esteem.
“The perpetrator should face the wrath of the law so that she will serve as a deterrent to others. Lastly, I expect the Lagos State Ministry of Education through the Quality Assurance Department to move in as swiftly as possible, and a one-on-one interaction should be carried out with the pupils to know how many pupils the monster has subjected to this cruelty.”
Another member of ACVPN, identified simply as Jewel, said: “It’s unimaginable that a combo of physical, psychological and mental abuse was dispensed on an innocent infant at the same time by someone who was expected to provide care and protection to him. Horrible!
“Not only the physical damage on the child, how do we get this little three-year-old desensitized from abuse and future victimization of others?
“How do we get him to know and believe that assault is not a way of life? How do we ensure he doesn’t develop an inferiority complex or slip into abnormal fear, anxiety and depression? How do we reassure him that going to school is in his best interest?
“When duty bearers fail in their responsibilities, they don’t know and realize the magnitude of the consequences of their actions or inaction. This is so sad .”
The Nigeria Police Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, reacting on the case, said: “One Stella Nwadigo, aged 45, the teacher who physically abused the 3-year-old Abayomi Micheal of Christ-Mitots School in Ikorodu, has been arrested by the police. She was arrested on Tuesday 8th January 2025, immediately after the criminal act. Justice must be served.”
