A heartbroken mother in Lagos is calling for justice after her three-year-old son’s ear was reportedly damaged due to repeated slaps by his teacher at Christ-Miltos Primary School in Ikorodu. Mrs. Adenike Okunlaya, a teacher at the same school, has been left struggling to balance her role as both a caregiver and educator, after the traumatic incident left her son injured and in need of medical attention.
The incident occurred on January 6, 2025, when Mrs. Okunlaya was busy teaching her own class. Her son, a pupil in Nursery One, had been subjected to what his mother later described as “repeated slaps” by a female teacher. The situation took a disturbing turn when a video of the assault surfaced on social media, showing the teacher hitting the boy and causing visible distress.
“I didn’t take my son’s complaints seriously before because I thought it was just the usual spanking,” Mrs. Okunlaya explained to Punch. “But when I saw the video, my heart shattered. It was clear that my son had been hurt, and I knew I had to take action.”
The video, which quickly went viral, showed the teacher repeatedly slapping the boy across the face and ears, causing him to cry out in pain. Mrs. Okunlaya was initially unaware of the severity of the situation, but the footage sparked immediate concern among those who saw it.
“I felt so sad,” Mrs. Okunlaya continued. “I didn’t challenge the teacher or report it to the management at first. I showed the video to my pastor, and that’s when the case was officially brought to the attention of the school administration.”
The school management, upon viewing the video and learning of the assault, expressed their dismay. “We’ve always told the teachers not to beat the children,” Mrs. Okunlaya shared. “There had been previous warnings, and parents had raised concerns. But to have this happen to my son… it’s devastating.”
The teacher involved was immediately fired on January 7, 2025, before the police intervened and made an arrest. However, the road to justice has not been without its complications. According to Mrs. Okunlaya, the school also seized her phone on the day the video went viral, citing concerns about the barrage of phone calls she was receiving. The phone was returned to her two days later.
“My phone was seized because the video spread so quickly, and people were calling me non-stop with questions,” Mrs. Okunlaya said. “I understand their reasons, but I was left feeling even more isolated during a time when I needed support the most.”
As a single mother who lost her husband three years ago, Mrs. Okunlaya has been navigating the challenges of raising her son while managing multiple jobs. Aside from her teaching position at Christ-Miltos Primary School, she also takes on menial work, such as washing clothes and cleaning houses, to make ends meet.
“My husband passed away when my son was very young, and since then, I’ve had to do everything myself,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I don’t have anyone else to rely on. I teach, I clean, I do whatever it takes to make sure my son has everything he needs. But now, all I want is justice for him.”
The assault had lasting physical effects on her son, who was immediately taken to Ikorodu General Hospital for medical attention. Doctors confirmed that his ears had been affected, and he was referred to a specialist for further examination. A medical report was issued and has been handed over to the police as part of the investigation.
“I’ve been to the hospital, and the doctors have confirmed the injury,” Mrs. Okunlaya said. “I am hopeful that the authorities will do the right thing and ensure my son gets the justice he deserves.”
Despite the emotional and physical toll the incident has taken on her family, Mrs. Okunlaya remains determined to seek accountability. “I want this teacher to be held responsible for what she did,” she said. “No child should go through this, and I hope that this case will lead to stronger measures to protect children from such abuse in schools.”
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with parents and members of the community voicing their support for Mrs. Okunlaya and condemning the teacher’s actions. “We stand with this mother,” said a local resident. “What happened to her son is unacceptable, and it is a wake-up call for all of us to be more vigilant about the treatment of children in schools.”
As the case progresses, Mrs. Okunlaya is focusing on ensuring that her son recovers both physically and emotionally. “I’m not sure how he’ll be affected by this in the future,” she said, her voice breaking. “But I will fight for him every step of the way. I won’t rest until justice is served.”
In addition to seeking justice for her son, Mrs. Okunlaya is also calling for better safeguards and training for teachers to prevent such incidents from happening again. “It’s not just about punishing the teacher,” she said. “It’s about creating an environment where children are safe and respected. Teachers must be trained on how to handle discipline without resorting to violence.”
The Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Development has also stepped in, offering to assist with the case and ensuring that the child’s needs are addressed. “We are committed to ensuring that children’s rights are protected and that those who harm them are held accountable,” said a ministry spokesperson
