On January 8, 2025, a shocking viral video surfaced showing a teacher physically abusing a 3-year-old pupil, Abayomi Micheal, which sparked intense debate on the safety of children in schools across Nigeria.
The incident occurred at Christ-Mitots School in Ikorodu, Lagos, where Stella Nwadigo, a 45-year-old teacher, was filmed slapping and yelling at the young child while attempting to teach him how to write numbers.
The disturbing footage ignited anger on social media, with many Nigerians demanding justice and urging authorities to arrest Nwadigo. In response to the public outcry, the Lagos State Government and law enforcement agencies moved quickly to act.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that Nwadigo had been arrested immediately after the incident. He tweeted: “The teacher, Stella Nwadigo, aged 45, who physically abused the 3-year-old, has been arrested. Justice must be served.”
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Public Relations Officer for the Lagos Police Command, also verified her detention, stating that she is currently in police custody for further investigation.
In an interview with Vanguard News, Kayode Sutton, the Deputy Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, shared that the Lagos State Government is taking action.
He mentioned that an investigative team would visit the school on January 9, 2025, to gather more information.
Both the Lagos State Child’s Rights Law of 2007 and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act of 2003 are designed to protect children’s rights and welfare.
These laws explicitly state that every child has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, even in educational settings.
The laws specifically prohibit any form of maltreatment, which includes:
Physical, mental, or emotional abuse,
Neglect or neglectful behavior,
Sexual abuse,
Torture or degrading punishment,
Attacks on a child’s honor or reputation.
Although the laws clearly protect children from such abuse, they do not specify the exact penalties for teachers who engage in physical assault against their pupils.
However, the Lagos State Government has a history of prosecuting cases of child abuse, with those convicted often facing imprisonment.
In cases involving public school teachers, there may also be the additional penalty of termination from their position.
Sutton highlighted that the potential penalties could include jail time for the abuser if convicted in court, termination from public school employment, or even the closure of the school, depending on the severity of the crime.
With the video of Nwadigo’s actions now circulating online, the public eagerly awaits the consequences she will face for her abusive behavior.
For further updates, visit NIGPOST.
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