Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
AKUFO, Oyo State — A harrowing case of domestic violence in Akufo, Ido Local Government Area, ended in tragedy last December when a 49-year-old man reportedly attacked his wife with acid before ingesting the substance himself, resulting in the deaths of both parents and leaving their three children in urgent need of care. The incident has cast a spotlight on domestic abuse, genetic health risks, and the vulnerability of children affected by both.
The deceased couple, Mr. Lekan Adedeji (49) and Mrs. Zainab Adedeji (44), had been married for over 25 years. Their marriage was reportedly fraught with violence, complicated further by the fact that both were carriers of the sickle cell trait — information they were unaware of at the time of marriage. Their children have been severely impacted by this genetic condition, with two of the three surviving children diagnosed with sickle cell disorder.
Family accounts indicate that the couple only became aware of their genotype incompatibility after the first three children were born. According to Morufat Ashake, the younger sister of the deceased woman, “They did not know their genotype status until their first three children were born, who frequently fell ill. One child became critically ill and was taken to the hospital, where tests confirmed that the children were SS. That was when they realized the full extent of their situation.”
Mrs. Adedeji eventually gave birth to six children, but three died due to complications from sickle cell disorder. Among the surviving children, Rashida (20) and Folahanmi (6) are diagnosed as SS, while Folawe (17) is AS. Both Rashida and Folahanmi reportedly suffer from regular sickle cell crises, necessitating constant medical attention.
Ashake revealed that domestic violence was persistent throughout the marriage. “The man kept insisting that she should continue having children, despite the risks. He often beat her. The violence was extreme,” she said. She added that her sister had left the marital home about three months prior to the attack, refusing to return despite family urging, citing the ongoing abuse.
The fatal incident unfolded when the husband lured his wife back to their home under the pretext of providing money for the second daughter’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination fees. Ashake described the harrowing scene: “He asked her to come and collect the money. She went with her second daughter and the youngest son. Upon arriving at the house, he instructed the second daughter to take the youngest child outside. While the daughter was sweeping the yard, she heard her mother screaming. When she tried to open the door, he pushed it back, locked it, and chased her away.”
Ashake recounted that the husband then poured acid on his wife and attempted to make her ingest it. “When he couldn’t make her drink it, he poured it all over her. He then drank the acid himself,” she said. Before taking the poison, he reportedly handed over his mobile phone and money intended for school fees to another person.
Mrs. Adedeji passed away from her injuries on January 23, after the family reportedly spent over ₦4 million on medical treatment. The deceased’s mother, Titilayo Ayoola (62), confirmed that the marriage had been marred by years of abuse. “Everything Morufat has said is accurate. My daughter endured a lot in that marriage,” she lamented. She expressed concern over the children’s welfare, stating, “These children require medication and constant attention. I am already elderly. I am unsure how we will cope without assistance.”
The children themselves shared their grief. Rashida remarked, “We have lost both our mother and father. We are in immense pain, and now there is no one to care for us.” Folawe described the situation as traumatic, adding, “Everything unfolded so quickly. We need help to continue our education and to take care of our health.”
The family resided in a four-bedroom apartment built by the husband in Akufo prior to the tragedy. In the aftermath, relatives and community members have appealed for immediate public assistance to meet the children’s medical, educational, and emotional needs, as well as to support the elderly grandmother now tasked with their care.
The case underscores the intersection of domestic violence, genetic health risks, and socio-economic vulnerability. Experts warn that without urgent intervention, children orphaned by such incidents are at risk of neglect, health deterioration, and disruption of their education. Community and humanitarian groups are being called upon to provide emergency support and long-term care solutions for the affected family.
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