Single dad beats 2-year-old baby to death (Lagos, Nigeria)

Single dad BABATUNDE GBOLAHAN is in police custody for beating his 2-year-old daughter to death. There are suggestions that the baby lacked "adequate care." No explanation as to what happened to the mother, but it's likely she is deceased.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/10/17/father-beats-own-2-year-old-baby-to-death/

Father beats own 2-year-old baby to death
National News Oct 17, 2009 By Albert Akpor

LAGOS- A middled aged man identified as Babatunde Gbolahan is presently cooling off his heels in police custody for allegedly beating his own two-year old baby to death.

The ugly incident, police sources said, took place Wednesday at his No 9 Olaniyi Street Idi-Oro, Mushin resident. According to sources, the 28 year-old suspect who claimed to be a motor mechanic had returned home that fateful day only to discover that his little baby named Oluwayesimi had poured kerosine on the remaining foodstuff(garri) in the house.

Apparently irked by this action and coupled with the fact that he could not work that day following the heavy down pour, he reportedly bent over the toddler and dealt several blows on her. Saturday Vanguard learnt that pleas from neighbours to the angry single father fell on deaf ears as he vented his anger on the defenceless baby.

The baby, who sources said looked frail following lack of adequate parental care, could not withstand the beating as she gave up the ghost.

However, moments after neighbours could no longer hear the cries of the baby, they reportedly forced their ways into the one room apartment only to discover that the child was already dead.

They were said to have descended on the heartless father who pleaded provocation and hunger. But he was later handed over to the police. He is presently at the SCID Panti Yaba where he is telling detectives the story of his life.

It was not possible to get the reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba. But a source close to his office said the deceased had been deposited at the Public Mortuary adding that the killer father would be charged for murder at the end of investigations.