Onyeka John, a teenage girl in Lagos has regained freedom after she was allegedly chained by her mother.
The girl lived with her parents in a rented apartment on Serebe Street, Abaranje, in the Ikotun area of Lagos State. Her parents reportedly tied up John by the neck and legs for
habitually running away from home, which they ascribed to mental
illness.
The landlord, Mr. 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.
He said, “The parents locked the girl up. She is about 14 years
old. She was chained n*ked 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 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 yesterday (Wednesday). 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.”
Onyeka’s father, who spoke with Punch Metro on the telephone on Thursday, said he and his wife meant no harm for the girl.
He said, “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 Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the case was under investigation.
“The lady is suffering from mental illness. Her parents chained
her to prevent her from entering the street, and without intention to
harm her,” she added.
Unbelievable, Parents Chain Their Teenage Daughter by the Neck and Legs for 1 Month in Lagos
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