LAGOS, Nigeria – A man has been arrested by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA, for allegedly inflicting severe bodily injuries on his 11-year-old son, who failed to recite the Holy Quran.
The incident has sparked outrage across social media as graphic images of the boy’s injuries circulated online.
Joke Ladenegan-Oginni, the DSVA spokesperson, announced on Saturday, May 6, 2023, that the man was detained at the Meiran Division of the Nigeria Police Force following reports from a concerned citizen about the repeated assaults on the child.
“The agency received a report from a journalist of an 11-year-old male who was physically assaulted by his father,” Ladenegan-Oginni stated. “The DSVA gathered that the father meted the assault because the boy had not been able to recite the Holy Quran.”
The 11-year-old’s body displayed severe welts, reportedly caused by belt whips, which led to excessive bleeding. Ladenegan-Oginni explained that the boy suffered from haematuria (blood in urine), two episodes of loss of consciousness, and bleeding from the ears and nostrils as a result of the repeated assaults.
The child is currently receiving medical attention facilitated by the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the state’s Primary Health Care Board. Ladenegan-Oginni urged the public to report any cases of abuse, assault, or sexual violence against persons to the DSVA to ensure justice is served.
The shocking incident has spurred conversations about child abuse and the role of religious indoctrination in society.
Activists and concerned citizens alike are calling for stricter penalties against abusers and increased support for victims of domestic violence.
