Distressed neighbours of 163, Agege Motor Road Mushin Olosha, Lagos have on Saturday raised alarm after a 15-year-old girl, Roseline, was allegedly maltreated, chained and locked up by her guardian, one Mrs. Rali also known as Iya Sunkanmi, for reasons yet unknown.
The perpetrator, Iya Sunkanmi, was said to have chained both hands and feet of Roseline her housemaid then locked the house gate behind her and left with the key.
The concerned residents, who were worried over the rate of abuse the teenager had been subjected to, called some social workers, the CDA members and the Alakara police station.
According to a reliable source (name withheld) who spoke exclusively to LagosToday, Iya Sunkanmi had chained the little girl since morning and left her without food. “She was locked up since morning. She was crying profusely for help through the window at the back flat second floor beside the home for children with disability”.
He also lamented, “No one came for her help since morning. What if she had died? Police came after a long time then left without breaking the door.”
Meanwhile, the Programme Manager, Lucina Care Initiative, Mrs. Orah Ogonna Stella, said the DPO was not on seat at the time of report. “The officers said they could not do anything unless the DPO gave them order to break down the gate because the guardian locked the gate and went away with the key”.
“When the DPO was called, he said nobody should tell him about any case since the officers at the station were aware,” Orah noted.
However, officers of Alakara station were said to have arrived at the residence. “After they knocked severally but no response, they left. Their reason was they could not hear Roseline’s voice, hence, couldn’t break the door”.
The child advocate expressed worries. “We don’t know if the girl is alive or dead. Had the DPO given order to the officers on time, the girl would have been rescued.”
“We will also go back there tomorrow morning to follow up on the case. Thanks to Area Commander of Area B, Mr. Olusoji, who called the DPO of Alakara upon hearing about the case.
Although he said the police officers had all gone back to the police station, they are oblivious if Roseline is dead or alive till now.
Other eyewitnesses like petty traders divulged that Iya Sunkanmi acts like a mentally deranged. They further described her as a “wicked soul” that has been maltreating the girl.
The neighbours said the husband of the perpetrator had claimed that they had returned the girl to her parents. “We don’t know how true that is”.
Until this evening of Saturday, no resident is aware of the whereabouts of the abused teenager even the social workers. They disclosed to LagosToday their acrid worries for the teenager.
