Rebecca Bassey, a 21-year-old woman has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly beating her husband’s three year old niece to death.
The victim, Deborah Bassey was said to have been beaten to death for vomiting and defecating on herself.
According to sources, “The victim (Deborah) lost her mother in 2010. Early this year, Deborah’s father was evicted from his home and he decided to send Deborah and his second child to go and stay with his brother, Vincent, until he settles down.
“Deborah and her nine-year-old sister were living with Vincent and his wife, Rebecca, in a one-room apartment at Powerline, Jankara, Ijaiye Ojokoro. However, Rebecca was always maltreating the two children.”
The young girl was said to have woken up early on July 22 at their home in Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos with a high temperature and started vomiting, defecating on herself. This angered Rebecca who beat her up mercilessly instead of administering some form of medication on the little girl.
The girl was said to have hit her head on a hard surface and started bleeding profusely from the wound. She was immediately taken to Ahmadiyya Hospital, and later referred to Orile Agege General Hospital where she died.
Neighbours have described the suspect as a hot-tempered woman who is fond of beating her wards excessively.
A witness said the landlord had once been forced to threaten the family with eviction if the beating continues.
Her husband, Vincent Bassey said he was not at home when the incident occurred explaining that he was hardly present at home due to the nature of his job.
“I was not at home when the incident happened. I am a photographer during daytime but I work as a vigilante group member. So I hardly sleep at home,” he said.
The suspect however said she did not kill the victim deliberately. She said she only pushed Deborah and she hit her head against the chair.
“I am a housewife and I have a 10-month-old baby. I did not mean to kill her (Deborah). I only pushed her because she vomited and defecated on the floor. I was only trying to correct her. It was not deliberate. I am a mother too and I know how I would feel if my son was killed,” she said.
It was learnt that the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.
