Lagos Man Recounts How His Mother Died After Alleged Assault by Father

A 24-year-old Lagos resident, Paul Odu, has shared a harrowing account of how his mother, Temitope Odu, died a day after allegedly being assaulted by his father.

According to a report by Punch Newspaper on Saturday, November 1, 2025, the tragic incident occurred shortly after Temitope returned from Abuja, where she had attended her call-to-bar ceremony. The young woman’s death has sparked shock and outrage among neighbors and family friends who described her as “peace-loving” and “dedicated to her family.”

Paul told Punch that tension had been building within their home for some time before the incident. He said arguments between his parents had become more frequent and intense in the days leading up to the tragedy.

He recounted that on the day of the incident, his father allegedly launched into a heated argument with his mother, hurling insults and threats at her. The confrontation soon turned violent when his father reportedly began to hit his mother during the exchange.

Fearing for her safety, Paul said he stepped in and tried to protect her. However, his father allegedly became even more enraged and turned on him.

“I confronted him, telling him to stop insulting her, and that angered him even more, so he turned on me. He started beating me with plywood, chasing me all over the house,” Paul said.

He added that while the attack continued, he managed to call his mother to inform her about what was happening. She advised him to find a way to escape, but he was trapped inside because his father had allegedly locked all the doors.

“When I managed to run into my room, he broke down the door and continued the assault. I was terrified. I thought he would kill me,” he recounted.

Paul said his mother eventually returned home later that evening, visibly weak and distressed. She reportedly complained of severe pain and emotional exhaustion after the incident. Despite family members urging her to seek medical attention, her condition worsened overnight.

The next day, she was confirmed dead.

According to Punch, neighbors and relatives have since called for a thorough investigation into the matter, urging the authorities to ensure justice is served.

At the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not yet issued an official statement regarding the case. However, sources close to the family revealed that an investigation was underway to determine the exact cause of Temitope’s death and the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.