Lagos State Remands Mother Who Abused 15-year-old Daughter With Knife

46-year-old woman, identified as Augustina Okezie, has been remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations of physically abusing her teenage daughter.

Okezie, a single mother of four, was arraigned before a Lagos court where she denied being a violent parent.

"I'm not a wicked mother. She started following boys, became rude and stopped listening to me. Whenever I asked her to do anything, she refused. I only wanted to scold her, but I overreacted,” she told the court.

The court ordered her remand pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

According to reports, the incident followed a pattern of alleged abuse within the household.

Sources claimed that prior to the widely circulated incident, Okezie had struck her daughter with a bottle inside their apartment, drawing the attention of neighbours who intervened.

Eyewitnesses said the situation escalated after both mother and daughter were brought outside, where attempts were made to separate them.

During the altercation, Okezie allegedly retrieved a kitchen knife and threatened the teenager.

The victim reportedly sustained minor injuries.

The suspect was also accused of attacking a neighbour who recorded the incident before fleeing the scene.

She was later apprehended by officials of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and handed over to the police.

Residents alleged that the landlord had failed to report earlier incidents despite claims of prolonged abuse, reportedly due to shared religious ties.

Sources close to the family further claimed that Okezie’s husband had previously left the home over concerns about her behaviour, taking two of their children with him while leaving the remaining two in her care.

The Lagos State Government has since taken custody of the affected children, including a 15-year-old girl and her brother.

Authorities have urged residents to report suspected cases of domestic abuse to the nearest neighbourhood safety office to ensure timely intervention.