14-yr-old girl chained by her parents rescued by police in Lagos

A 14-year-old girl who has some mental challenges has been rescued after her parents chained her to a window for one month.

 

The police in Lagos State has rescued a 14-year-old girl, Onyeka John, who was chained by her parents inside their house for over one moth because she had some mental problems.

Punch reports that the teenager she was allegedly chained by her parents to the burglar-proof bars of their rented apartment on Serebe Street, Abaranje, in the Ikotun area of the state.

It was learnt that Onyeka was tied up by the neck and legs for habitually running away from home which they ascribed to her mental illness.

The girl was rescued after the landlord of the house, Oladapo Olubajo, was said to have gone to the backyard, where the family’s apartment is located, to check a pumping machine when he saw the girl in her usual chains.

The landlord allegedly alerted other residents who reported the matter at the Ikotun Police Division, leading to the rescue of the girl.

A resident who spoke to newsmen on the issue, said the girl’s parents eventually showed up at the police station and made statements.

“The parents locked the girl up. She is about 14-years-old. She was chained naked to the burglary inside the room by the neck and legs.  

Policemen came to rescue the girl. Her parents later turned themselves in at the station. They said the girl had been a disgrace to the family.”

The landlord also narrated that he had wanted to take up the matter with the parents, but some residents prevailed on him not to, explaining that when he saw the girl naked in the apartment, he was shocked as such could lead her into committing suicide.

“When I saw her chained to the burglar-proof bar, I raised the alarm. The police later got the parents to the station and interrogated them.

The girl said she had been there for almost one month. Her parents moved here a year ago. I have noticed that their behaviour was odd but I didn’t know they could go to the extent of chaining their daughter.

People begged me and the police eventually released the girl to them. The conclusion we reached is that I want them out of my house. 

They also claimed the girl is mentally ill. Even if she is mentally challenged, was that the right way to go about it? She could have killed herself.”

Speaking on why he chained his daughter, the father said the girl was a disgrace to the family as she had a habit of absconding from home.

“She always runs away from home. That was why we chained her. I think she is mentally ill. We planned to take her to a hospital this month. As I speak now, she has fled home again.”

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dolapo Badmos, said the police has started investigations into the matter. SP Badmos added that the girl is suffering from mental illness and her parents claimed they chained her to prevent her from entering the street, and without intention to harm her.