A 21-year-old woman, Rebecca Bassey, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly beating her husband’s three-year-old niece, Deborah Bassey, to death.

According to police authorities, the suspect beat up the girl because she vomited and defecated on herself.

A police source told PUNCH Metro on Thursday that the incident occurred at Ijaiye Ojokoro area of the state on July 22, 2013.

He said, “The victim (Deborah) lost her mother in 2010. Early this year, Deborah’s father was evicted from his home and he decided to send Deborah and his second child to go and stay with his brother, Vincent, until he settles down.

“Deborah and her nine-year-old sister were living with Vincent and his wife, Rebecca, in a one-room apartment at Powerline, Jankara, Ijaiye Ojokoro. However, Rebecca was always maltreating the two children.”

According to police investigations, on the day of the incident, Deborah woke up around 5.30am with a high temperature.

The three-year-old girl was said to have started vomiting and defecating soon after. This was said to have angered Rebecca, who instead of administering treatment to the child, decided to beat her up.

A police source said, “In the process of beating the girl, the suspect pushed her and she fell, hitting her head against the edge of a wooden chair in the room.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim started to bleed from the head. Some neighbours rushed her to Ahmadiyya Hospital, where she was referred to Orile Agege General Hospital where she later died.

A woman leader in the area, Kudirat Ogunseyi, was said to have reported the matter to Ijaye Ojokoro Police Division after which the suspect was arrested.

Some neighbours, in their statements at the police station, described the suspect as a hot-tempered woman, who was fond of beating the children.

“The way that woman beats up the children was very worrying to the extent that the landlord had threatened to evict them,” one of the statements reads.

Vincent told the police that he was not present when his wife beat his niece to death.

“I was not at home when the incident happened. I am a photographer during daytime but I work as a vigilante group member. So I hardly sleep at home,” he said.

The suspect however said she did not kill the victim deliberately. She said she only pushed Deborah and she hit her head against the chair.

“I am a housewife and I have a 10-month-old baby. I did not mean to kill her (Deborah). I only pushed her because she vomited and defecated on the floor. I was only trying to correct her. It was not deliberate. I am a mother too and I know how I would feel if my son was killed,” she said.

It was learnt that the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

A source at the SCID said the police were waiting for autopsy. He added that if other wounds were found on other parts of the victim’s body, it would prove that the victim was indeed tortured before her death.

When contacted on the telephone, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said she would call back
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/42245.html

I don tire for all these my fellow Naija women. Why are you people so wicked na? Your wickedness is laready taking its toll on some of us single ladies as most Nigerian men are now going to marry women from other countries.

Again, another innocent life lost because the wicked neighbours did nothing.

And I mean from the very beginning when they noticed the lunatic maltreating both girls. I say they're all guilty of that little girl's death, even the landlord.

What stopped then from reporting to the authorities before now? Na now all of them fit talk? Wicked souls.

This story is just too painful. Poor baby.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.

I don't talk much , yet Nigerian would complain we have only one SHEKUA in Nigeria

@EFE,
Sometimes, the neighbours cannot be blamed. One need to look at the type of the environment that such issues are found. It is predominantly low income earners area who believe every of such issues should be reported to the police.

I will not be surprised if none of them including the landlord does not know anything about NAPTIP. Who goes to the police nowadays, especially about a matter that has no direct bearing with you. One gets to the police station and he/she is told to pay for paper to write statement, that is if you are shunned by the police telling you it is none of your business as it is a family affairs.

We have a long way to go in the country. The leadership and the followership are both rotten, corrupt and extremely selfish.

@Topic, I read it on punch this morning, and it is so sad for the poor little child to die in such a cruel manner due to no fault of hers. This is why it is advisable for men to marry ladies who are emotionally and intelligently matured devoid of greed and me and my husband alone syndrome.

Lord! I'm so pained beyond words. News like this are getting scarily rampant. Its now a trend for people to torture children under their care or what? May the poor girl RIP

U r hrtless at 21, wot wil happen if u are older? Rip young one

May her soul rest in peace. Some people can be very wicked though. A child at age 3 who woke up having a high temperature wasn't a concern to her but the fact that she was vomitting and defeacating. She is just a terrible person.

Most of these women are 'maritally'frustrated,giving them your kids to care for is like handing over your child to a cannibal.

byvan: Most of these women are 'maritally'frustrated,giving them your kids to care for is like handing over your child to a cannibal.

Agadi nwanyi a,wetin naw.I don wait tire.I don't like dis suspense o! Too young to develop hbp. How r u?

@ ;Dyellowpawpaw, we still have along time more to waitooo.Anyi achoghi Nwa na akaghi aka

@CC and Bellong, these tales are just tooooooooo heart breaking!

They touch something deep inside me! Pls, I don't understand...someone help me understand, how a woman (a mother for that matter who knows the pain of child birth), how can she raise her hands against a 3 year old baby? A sick baby??!!

And d'you know, most times, babies of that age poo and defecate when they're frightened. The poor defenceless child probably lived in fear. To young to understand why, but old enough to know what to expect from her so called aunt!

Babies of that age need lots and lots of cuddles, kisses and a warm understanding tone. The baby woke up ill, needing care and comfort but all she could think of was to push her so hard that she hit her head against a chair and bled to death? Lord, please, forever protect my kids. Pls give me, give us all long life and good health

I know I'm just rambling but dear lord! These stories hurt to read...they so do!

Long life and sound health i pray oh lord.Amen

SMH at the neighbor and landlord is not to blame.

And we continue giving out kids to live with people.more stories,and the circle continues.

I would be completely fine with jungle justice applied in such cases, seriously. Maybe that's what will stop all these deranged witches from wasting innocent lives. Anyone that beats a child to death should be turned to instant charcoal as far as I'm concerned. I still haven't gotten over the one that smashed a pestle on a child's head.

What irritates me even more is the way she didn't even show any remorse about her action (according to the report). So bloody what you have a 10 year old son. Does it mean you should be above the wrath of the law? I hope justice is fully served in this case. Gosh! I'm so pained

yellowpawpaw: And we continue giving out kids to live with people.more stories,and the circle continues.

Circumstances my dear, a lot of people get to live away from their parents as a result of circumstances nobody can control. In this particular case, her mother is late and the father is homeless. In developed countries, there are social services specialised in the welfare of children of such circumstances.