An Akure resident, Mr. Tairu Jamiu Ajefunbi, has accused members of his extended family in Ogun State of abducting his children and subjecting them to harmful traditional practices, including forced ritual initiation and female genital mutilation (FGM), which he alleges led to the death of his six-year-old daughter.
The disturbing allegations have intensified concerns about the continued existence of dangerous cultural practices despite legal prohibitions in Nigeria.
Ajefunbi, who is originally from Ilisan-Remo in Ogun State, described his family lineage as a powerful and deeply traditional clan with significant influence across several states.
According to him, the family mandates compulsory ritual practices for female children and women who marry into the lineage.
He claimed that these rituals are enforced without consent and often involve coercion, threats, and violence.
Speaking to journalists, Ajefunbi alleged that the family’s long-standing traditions include several invasive and harmful rites. These, he said, involve forced disrobing before elders, body-marking ceremonies, shrine-based initiation rituals, and compulsory participation in cultural festivals.
He explained that these practices are imposed on female children shortly after 5 years of age and again at different stages of their lives. Women who marry into the family reportedly face similar expectations.
According to him, refusal to comply often results in intimidation, harassment, and in some cases, persecution.
“I grew up seeing these things happen,” he said. “Many of us have tried to oppose it, but the pressure is enormous. The family believes these rituals are sacred and must be performed at all costs.”
Ajefunbi revealed that he has relocated several times across Nigeria to protect his wife and three daughters.
He said the tension between him and his extended family began to escalate when he refused to present his wife and daughters for the rituals.
“I have been running for years to protect my girls and my wife,” he said. “But the pressure kept increasing.
They accused me of dishonouring the family because I refused to present my wife and daughters for their rituals.”
He alleged that his refusal made him a target within the family and that several male relatives who previously resisted had either fled, changed their names, or lost their wives to similar rituals.
According to Ajefunbi, the situation took a tragic turn on November 7, 2025.
He recounted that while at home in Akure with his six-year-old daughter, he heard a knock on the door and assumed it was his wife returning from the market with their older children.
“I saw four of my uncles and two elder sisters,” he said. “They forced their way in.”
He alleged that the group overpowered him, used traditional charms to immobilize him, and then performed FGM on his daughter inside his home.
“I was conscious but unable to move,” he said. “I watched them mutilate my daughter. I couldn’t do anything.”
After the group left, Ajefunbi said he rushed his daughter to a nearby hospital. He refused to disclose the hospital’s name, citing concerns for his family’s safety. He also said he immediately warned his wife to stay away from home.
“We have been living in fear ever since,” he added. “My other children are traumatised.”
A week later, on November 15, 2025, Ajefunbi said he received devastating news: his daughter had died. According to him, medical personnel informed him that her death was linked to complications arising from the forced FGM.
“This was done without my knowledge or permission,” he said. “My little girl died because of this.”
FGM is prohibited under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015 and has long been condemned by medical experts and human-rights organisations. Despite this, the practice remains common in some communities, where it is upheld as a cultural or religious obligation.
Ajefunbi said he reported the incident to the police but claimed that no action has been taken. He alleged that his extended family’s cultural and social influence has prevented the matter from being thoroughly investigated.
He said other affected men in the family had similar experiences, with some fleeing to different states and others leaving the country entirely to escape the compulsory rituals.
At the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain official comments from the police were unsuccessful. Community members also expressed concerns about reporting such cases, citing fear of retaliation and lack of confidence in law enforcement.
Human-rights advocates have described Ajefunbi’s claims as deeply troubling and reflective of broader issues surrounding harmful traditional practices in the country. They argue that despite ongoing public awareness campaigns and legal protections, survivors often face intimidation, stigma, and limited access to justice.
The tragic case has renewed calls for stronger enforcement of laws against FGM and urgent intervention from government agencies.
For Ajefunbi, his focus is now on keeping his remaining children safe.
“I have already lost my daughter,” he said. “I cannot lose the others. I am begging the authorities—please protect us and give us justice