In a harrowing incident that has sparked heated debates on justice and vigilantism in Nigeria, a 27-year-old man, alleged to be a member of a local cult group, was reportedly killed by the father of a 17-year-old girl he is accused of assaulting. The event unfolded in a Lagos neighborhood, highlighting the frustrations many families face with the slow pace of the legal system in cases of sexual violence.
According to sources close to the family, the young girl was assaulted by the man, leaving her with visible physical bruises. Her father, a serving military officer, immediately took her to a nearby hospital where medical tests were conducted to document evidence of forcible entry and other injuries. Determined to seek justice, the father then accompanied his daughter to confront the accused at his family's home.
Eyewitness accounts describe a tense scene where the father asked his daughter directly in front of the young man: "Mama, is this the boy that raped you?" The girl confirmed it was him. At that moment, the accused reportedly fell to his knees, begging for forgiveness and claiming it was a "mistake" influenced by the devil. His family members also pleaded for an out-of-court settlement, offering to resolve the matter privately.
However, the father, unmoved by the pleas, allegedly instructed his associates to escort the man outside. What followed was swift and fatal: gunshots rang out, and the 27-year-old was killed on the spot. To date, no formal police investigation or charges have been filed, raising questions about accountability in such cases involving military personnel.
Further revelations have painted a disturbing picture of the deceased's history. Insiders claim he was a notorious serial offender, with his family having previously sold off lands valued at millions of naira to hush up similar incidents and avoid prosecution. This pattern of behavior, if true, underscores a deeper issue of impunity among certain individuals in society.
This incident comes amid growing calls for stronger protections against sexual violence in Nigeria, where survivors often face stigma and bureaucratic hurdles. Advocacy groups like the Lagos-based Women's Rights Initiative have urged for reforms to ensure swift and fair trials, preventing families from resorting to such extreme measures.