When Adenike Okunlaya stood before her class of Nursery Two pupils on a quiet Monday morning, she never imagined her world would soon spiral into turmoil. It was January 6, 2025, a date now etched in her memory as the day her three-year-old son was assaulted by someone she considered a colleague and friend.
A single mother and widow, Adenike has spent the last three years navigating a labyrinth of grief and survival since losing her husband. Teaching at Christ-Miltos Primary School in Ikorodu, Lagos, was both a source of income and solace—until the incident that shattered her peace.
“I was in my class when I heard a loud voice yelling, ‘Write six, write six.’ Moments later, a colleague showed me a video of the female teacher hitting my son. My heart sank. That was my boy, my only son, crying out helplessly,” she recalled, her voice breaking with emotion.
The video, which soon found its way to social media, depicted the teacher repeatedly striking the little boy while demanding he write the number six. It sparked outrage online, but for Adenike, it was much more personal—a betrayal of trust and a horrifying reminder of how fragile her son’s safety could be.
Adenike revealed that her son had complained several times about being beaten by the teacher. “I thought it was the usual spanking and didn’t take it seriously because she was my colleague,” she admitted, regret etched on her face. “But seeing the video… I felt heartbroken.”
Her heartbreak turned into action when she shared the video with a trusted friend, who then forwarded it. The video’s virality forced the school to act swiftly, terminating the teacher’s employment and initiating an investigation.
The physical toll on her son was undeniable. Adenike described how she rushed him to Ikorodu General Hospital after noticing his ears were affected. Medical professionals confirmed the injuries and referred him for specialized care. “The doctor’s report is still with the police. I just want justice for my son,” she said.
As the widow spoke, it became clear that her fight for justice was just one layer of her daily battle for survival. Since her husband’s death three years ago, Adenike has juggled teaching, washing clothes, and cleaning houses to provide for her son.
“We only had this boy before his father died,” she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “It’s been hard, but I’ve never owed school fees. I’ve done everything I can to make sure he doesn’t feel the weight of our struggles.”
Despite her resilience, the incident has left scars—not just on her son, but on her trust in the system that was supposed to nurture him.
The school management seized her phone after the video went viral, inundating her with calls from concerned parents and reporters. “They returned it two days later, but those days felt like a lifetime,” she said.
The sacking of the teacher provided some relief, but Adenike is determined to see the case through. The Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Development has stepped in, and the police are investigating.
“I’ve struggled so much, but my son’s well-being is my priority. I want justice for him and to ensure this doesn’t happen to any other child,” she averred.
Original interview culled from The Punch.
