A long history of domestic violence has ended in tragedy in Akufo, Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, after a 49-year-old man allegedly attacked his wife with acid before ingesting the corrosive substance himself.
The incident claimed the lives of Mr Lekan Adedeji and his wife, Mrs Zainab Adedeji, 44, leaving their three surviving children—two of whom live with sickle cell disorder—facing an uncertain future and urgent humanitarian needs.
Family members disclosed that the couple, who had been married for over 25 years, endured a turbulent relationship marked by persistent abuse. The situation was further complicated by the fact that both partners were unknowingly carriers of the sickle cell trait, a condition that severely affected their children’s health.
Speaking during an interview, the deceased woman’s younger sister, Morufat Ashake, who has since taken custody of the children, said the couple only became aware of their genotype status after their first three children repeatedly fell ill.
“One of the children became critically sick and was taken to the hospital, where tests showed they were SS. That was when they understood the gravity of the situation,” she said.
According to Ashake, Mrs Adedeji eventually had six children, three of whom died from complications related to sickle cell disorder. Of the surviving children, Rashida, 20, and Folahanmi, six, are SS, while Folawe, 17, is AS. Rashida and Folahanmi reportedly suffer frequent sickle cell crises and require constant medical care.
She further revealed that domestic violence was a recurring issue in the marriage, alleging that the husband repeatedly pressured his wife to continue having children despite the risks and subjected her to severe physical abuse.
About three months before the incident, Mrs Adedeji reportedly left the matrimonial home, refusing to return despite family pressure.
The fatal incident occurred in December last year after the husband allegedly invited his wife over under the guise of giving her money for their second daughter’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination fees. She reportedly went with the second daughter and the youngest child.
Ashake claimed that upon their arrival, the man sent the children outside before attacking his wife.
“When the daughter heard her mother screaming and tried to enter the room, he pushed the door shut, locked it and chased her away,” she said.
She alleged that the man poured acid on his wife and attempted to force her to drink it before consuming the substance himself. He reportedly handed over his phone and the money meant for school fees to another person before taking the acid.
Despite medical intervention and spending over ₦4 million on treatment, Mrs Adedeji died from her injuries on January 23.
The deceased woman’s mother, Mrs Titilayo Ayoola, 62, confirmed that the marriage had been abusive for years, lamenting the burden of caring for the surviving children.
“These children need constant medication and care. I am old, and I do not know how we will cope without help,” she said.
The children also spoke about their loss, with the eldest, Rashida, saying the family was overwhelmed by grief and uncertainty. Another child, Folawe, described the incident as traumatic and appealed for support to continue their education and manage their health.
The family had lived in a four-bedroom flat built by the husband in Akufo before the tragedy.
Meanwhile, relatives are appealing to the public for urgent assistance to help cover the children’s medical and educational needs, as well as to support their aged grandmother.
