10 cases in 2017 so far
News of parents being killed by their children is making headlines across Nigeria. zeroes in on the rise of the disturbing trend, known as ‘parricide.’
It is said that parenting is the world’s toughest job just as it can be said that many children wouldn’t consider their childhoods easy especially in their teenage years. Regardless, most children grow up in the care of parents who provide them a home, education and other necessities and are willing to do anything for their wellbeing. But the thought of a child having it so bad, that he knowingly, brutally, ends the lives of his parents who gave him a chance at life by bringing him into the world, drives home the harsh truth that problems abound.
On December 4th, 2016, the Lagos State Police Command arrested Bakare Babalola Rotimi, Jr., 24, for allegedly killing his 59-year-old father, Bakare Babalola Rotimi, Sr., by stabbing him in their Magodo home. When his mother heard his father’s cry for help, she came running but was also stabbed. Her son thought he had killed them both and pulled a cloth over their bodies before cleaning up, taking his father’s phones and ATM cards to go to his father’s petrol station where he harassed the manager for money. The reason for his grouse with his parents was their insistence on his returning home from Ireland where it was reported that he had abandoned his education and had become a drug addict. He was transferred to the Homicide Section of the Lagos State CID in Panti for further interrogation.
Refusing to marry a wife for his son, Abdulhamid Abdullahi, 25, as he had done for his other children, is what cost Abdullahi Shuaibu his life in Kirikasamma, Jigawa State. The state police command spokesperson, SP Abdul Jinjiri said he went to his father at about 3am on February 5, 2017 armed with an axe and firewood which he used as weapons to kill his sleeping father. Abdullahi confessed, but said his intention was to kill his older brother.
Oluwaseye Ayoola, 51, axed his 81-year-old mother, Dorcas Ayoola, to death, at their United Estate, Sangotedo, Ajah, Lagos State residence on February 7th, 2017, following an argument over his late sister’s N11million which was in her custody. Oluwaseye’s brother, Akintunde, who reported the case, said Oluwaseye demanded N500,000 from their mother which she refused. This resulted in the disagreement that ended her life. Following the murder, Oluwaseye fled but was later caught and detained.
Kazeem Ayoola blamed his 85-year-old mother, Taibat Ayoola, for his misfortune and killed her on February 10, 2017, in Osun State because she also irritated him. He said she was the reason two of his three houses got burnt and he always felt like destroying things whenever she was around him. On the fateful day, his mother had gone to meet with him on his farm but Kazeem was irritated by her visit and decided to kill her so that he could have peace of mind. Justice Habibat Basiru ordered that he be remanded in prison and adjourned the case.
Sixty-two-year-old Janet Ogah was on March 9, 2017, hacked to death at her restaurant on LafenwaItele Road, Aparadija, Ogun State, by her son, Emmanuel, who said she was in the habit of insulting and disgracing him in the presence of her apprentices and that he was frustrated into taking her life. Emmanuel’s brother said the medical doctor who