‘Cooling of in the cell’ Lagos teacher arrested for assaulting pupil during lesson

Stella Nwadigo, a teacher at Christ-Mitots International School in Isawo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, who physically assaulted a three-year-old pupil, Abayomi Michael, for not writing as instructed has been arrested according to reports.

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, confirmed the teacher’s arrest on Wednesday.

Also, the Lagos State Ministry of Education on Wednesday, on Kayode Sutton, said that the matter had been escalated to the relevant departments for further investigation, with the disturbing incident having already been “forwarded to the appropriate quarters.”

Nwadigo in the viral video was seen mistreating the young pupil during a writing lesson. In the footage, Nwadigo was heard instructing Abayomi on how to write the number six while repeatedly slapping him.

The Chief Operating Officer at Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network, Ebenezer Omejalile, confirmed that Michael had been hospitalised as a result of the physical assault.

He said,

“The perpetrator has been arrested, while the pupil has been taken to the hospital. I’m here at the FSU with Supol Bola; the perpetrator is cooling off in the cell, and the case will be charged to court. This is the highest form of child cruelty by a supposed childminder by an animal in human skin. This sort of cruelty attracts so many consequences.

“The perpetrator has not only physically assaulted the child but has dehumanised the child in totality, going by several slaps on the right ear that may damage the child’s eardrum, which can lead to deafness unwarranted.”

Omejalile further emphasised the need for appropriate interventions, including a thorough medical examination, psychological treatment, and efforts to rebuild the child’s self-esteem.