A video depicting Stella Nwadigo, a teacher at Christ-Mitots International School in Isawo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, physically assaulting a three-year-old pupil named Abayomi Michael has sparked public outrage. The incident occurred when the child failed to complete a writing task as instructed.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, through its Executive Secretary, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, confirmed the arrest of the teacher during a phone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday. This confirmation has fueled public outrage, with many Nigerians demanding a comprehensive investigation into the school.
According to PUNCH, The Lagos State Ministry of Education, in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, revealed that the matter has been escalated to relevant departments for further investigation. The spokesperson stated that the disturbing incident has already been “forwarded to the appropriate quarters” for necessary action.
A viral video that surfaced online on Wednesday showed Nwadigo physically abusing the young pupil during a writing lesson. The footage captured the disturbing scene where Nwadigo repeatedly slapped Abayomi while instructing him on how to write the number six.
Nigerians reacted with widespread outrage to the footage, demanding the teacher’s prosecution. Social commentator, VeryDarkMan, was among those who voiced their strong disapproval, threatening to lead a protest at the school if the teacher was not held accountable.
“To the owners of Christ-Mitots, you have just 24 hours to explain why the teacher treated that child in such a way. I’ve never been to Ikorodu, but I’ll fly to that school.
“I’ll bring a crowd with me and urge Nigerians to pay attention to this case so that incidents like this stop. Look at how she slapped that child. Imagine if he had fallen, and God forbid, they would likely invent a story about him falling while playing,” he said, suggesting that the teacher may have previously assaulted others before being caught on camera.
The physical assault on Michael resulted in his hospitalization, as confirmed by Ebenezer Omejalile, Chief Operating Officer at Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network, during a WhatsApp conversation with PUNCH on Wednesday.
He said, “The perpetrator has been arrested, while the pupil has been taken to the hospital. I’m here at the FSU with Supol Bola; the perpetrator is cooling off in the cell, and the case will be charged to court. This is the highest form of child cruelty by a supposed childminder by an animal in human skin. This sort of cruelty attracts so many consequences.
“The perpetrator has not only physically assaulted the child but has dehumanised the child in totality, going by several slaps on the right ear that may damage the child’s eardrum, which can lead to deafness unwarranted.”
Omejalile further highlighted the critical need for appropriate interventions, emphasizing the importance of a thorough medical examination, psychological support, and measures to 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 on the pupils to know how many pupils the monster has subjected to this cruelty,” he added.
Following the widespread public outrage expressed on various social media platforms on Wednesday, Vivour-Adeniyi confirmed that an investigation into the incident had already begun.
“The teacher has been arrested and is currently in police custody. The police will commence an investigation, and we hope she will be charged in court after the outcome of their findings,” she said
