Lagos Woman Arrested for Burning 7-Year-Old Daughter With Hot Iron Over Missing Meat

In a deeply disturbing incident, the Nigerian Police have arrested a woman, Chinwendu Onyeneho, for allegedly burning her seven-year-old daughter with a hot electric iron as punishment for eating a piece of meat from the cooking pot. The incident occurred on Thursday night at No. 11 Oshimyemi Street in the Ogba area of Lagos State. According to eyewitnesses, Onyeneho asked her daughter to serve meat to her younger sibling but became enraged when she noticed the girl had eaten part of it. She then allegedly plugged in an electric iron and used it to inflict multiple burns on the child's body in full view of neighbors. ​

The horrifying act has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from the public and civil rights groups. The Take-It-Back Movement, a prominent human rights organization, is leading the charge for justice, calling for the full prosecution of Onyeneho. The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed her arrest and stated that she is currently being detained at the Area G Command in Lagos. ​

Neighbors who witnessed the incident expressed their shock and dismay. One neighbor recounted confronting Onyeneho about the severity of the punishment, only to be dismissed and told to mind her own business. The neighbor emphasized the inhumanity of burning a child over such a trivial matter. ​

Authorities have not yet released details about the child's current medical condition or whether she has been placed under protective custody. The case has reignited discussions about child abuse and the need for stronger protective measures for children in Nigeria.​

This incident underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and enforcement of child protection laws. It also highlights the importance of community vigilance and the role of civil society in advocating for the rights and safety of children.​