A Lagos-based family has raised the alarm over alleged threats to their lives and an attempted abduction of their five-year-old daughter, reportedly fueled by a plot to subject her to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Mr. Akinyede Olanrewaju and his wife, Ruth, residents of 39 Olorunsogo Street, Meiran, Lagos, informed the police that they fled Ekiti State on December 21, 2023. Their flight followed sustained pressure from extended family members who insisted that their daughter, Akinyede Ireayomide Christiana, be taken to the village for circumcision.
According to a police report dated January 18, 2024, the situation escalated on January 16, 2024, when unidentified men allegedly attempted to seize the child while the parents were dropping their children off at school.
The couple narrowly escaped after raising an alarm, which drew the attention of passersby and forced the suspects to retreat.
The couple further alleged that the head of the family was present at the scene and has repeatedly threatened to harm them if they refuse to comply with the traditional demand.
Police findings confirmed that while the complainants’ statements were recorded, invitations extended to the accused family members have not been honored. No arrests have been made at this time.
Sources disclose that the family has since gone into hiding due to persistent and unsettling threats.
Authorities have advised the complainants to institute a civil suit, noting that any attempt to carry out the circumcision could lead to criminal prosecution for grievous bodily harm and child abuse.
This case highlights the disturbing persistence of harmful traditional practices and the grave risks faced by vulnerable children in various communities.