A man, Lekan Adedeji, has reportedly killed his wife, Zainab Adedeji, with an acid bath and ended his own life too, after 25 years of marriage.
The incident happened in Akufo community in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, following a protracted family crisis.
The couple have now left three children —two of whom battle sickle cell disorder— behind to face an uncertain and painful future.
Before acid attack, marriage was marked by violence
Family members revealed that their relationship had been filled with frequent abuse and emotional torment.
According to relatives, the couple only discovered years into their marriage that they were both carriers of the sickle cell trait — a revelation that came after their children repeatedly fell ill.
Medical tests later confirmed that several of their children were living with sickle cell disease.
Tragedy that already took three children
Zainab eventually gave birth to six children, but three reportedly died from complications related to the illness.
Among the surviving children: Rashida, 20 — SS, Folawe, 17 — AS and Folahanmi, 6 — SS.
Rashida and the youngest child reportedly suffer from frequent health crises and require constant medical care.
“The Violence Was Extreme”
Zainab’s younger sister, Morufat Ashake, who has now taken custody of the children, said the marriage was unbearable.
“The man kept forcing her to continue giving birth despite knowing the risk. He beat her regularly. The abuse was too much,” she said.
Three months before the incident, Zainab finally left the home, refusing to return despite family pressure.
“She said she couldn’t continue like that anymore.”
A deadly trap and acid bath
According to Ashake, the husband later contacted Zainab, claiming he wanted to give her money for their daughter’s WAEC examination fees.
Trusting him, she went with two of the children.
Upon arrival, the man allegedly sent the children outside — and moments later, screaming began.
The daughter reportedly tried to force the door open, but he locked it and chased her away.
Inside the house, the husband allegedly poured acid on Zainab and attempted to make her drink it.
When that failed, he reportedly drank the corrosive substance himself.
Before doing so, he allegedly handed his phone and school fees money to someone nearby — a move that suggested premeditation.
A costly fight for life — that ended in death
Zainab was rushed to the hospital, and the family reportedly spent over ₦4 million trying to save her.
Sadly, she died on January 23 from her injuries. Her husband also did not survive.
The victim’s mother, 62-year-old Titilayo Ayoola, confirmed years of abuse.
“My daughter suffered in that marriage. Everything they said is true,” she cried.
Now responsible for her grandchildren, she said she feels helpless.
“These children need constant medication. I am old and don’t know how we will cope.”
The children themselves are struggling to process the tragedy.
“We lost both our parents. There is nobody to care for us now,” Rashida said tearfully.
Folawe added, “Everything happened so fast. We still need school and medical help.”
Public appeal for help
The family is now calling on compassionate Nigerians for support to cover medical bills, school fees, and daily care for the sick children and their elderly grandmother.
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