
LAGOS—In a chilling incident that has sparked public outrage and reignited calls for stronger enforcement against domestic violence, a man has been arrested in Lagos for allegedly beating his wife to a near-death state just four days after she gave birth to their child. The disturbing news surfaced after actress and activist Omosalewa Fafowora shared a video on social media, documenting the immediate aftermath of the incident, which took place in a residential neighborhood.
The video, now widely circulated across Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), captures uniformed police officers at the scene, escorting the suspect out of the premises. In the background, a woman presumed to be the victim’s mother is seen holding the couple’s newborn baby. One of the officers, speaking in a low but urgent tone, revealed that the battered mother had been rushed to a hospital and was currently on oxygen, struggling for her life due to the extent of her injuries.
According to Omosalewa Fafowora, who has since become a voice for the victim, the violence erupted in the presence of the wife’s elderly mother. Fafowora alleged that the man relentlessly beat his wife until she passed out. What was supposed to be a period of healing and maternal bonding turned into a life-threatening ordeal that ended with sirens and hospital machinery. The attack has left the young mother not only physically injured but emotionally traumatized, and it has stirred up strong condemnation from both the public and advocacy groups.
Fafowora, in her emotional narration, detailed the horror the victim endured. “This woman just gave birth. She’s barely had time to hold her baby, to recover, to eat well, and this is what she gets from her husband?” she asked, her voice cracking. “She was bleeding. She collapsed. The baby was crying. Her mother was there, helpless. This is pure wickedness.”
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has confirmed the incident and reassured the public that the matter is being taken very seriously. In a statement released shortly after the video went viral, the DSVA said, “We are deeply disturbed by the events reported and captured on video. The suspect is in custody and investigations are currently ongoing. We are committed to ensuring justice for the survivor and her family. The safety of women and children in our state remains our top priority.”
Social media platforms have since become a battleground of emotions, with thousands of users expressing rage, sorrow, and disgust at the brutality displayed by the alleged perpetrator. The hashtag #JusticeForNewMum began trending just hours after the story broke, with many Nigerians demanding swift justice and legal reforms to protect postpartum mothers from abuse. Public figures, human rights lawyers, and concerned citizens have all lent their voices to the chorus, calling not just for prosecution but also for systemic change in the way domestic violence is addressed.
“This is not just an incident; it’s a reflection of how unsafe women still are, even in their most vulnerable moments,” said a statement from Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC). “We are talking about a woman who just went through childbirth—arguably the most intense physical and emotional process—and before she can even heal, she’s hospitalized again, this time from violence by the very man who should be protecting her. It is heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
Neighbors who witnessed the arrest described a chaotic and emotional scene. One resident, who chose to remain anonymous, said, “We heard screaming. We rushed over. We didn’t know what was going on. When we saw the woman unconscious and bleeding, we called the police immediately. It was too much. That baby was just crying. No child should start life like this.”
The situation has also shed light on the challenges women face postpartum in Nigeria, especially within homes that lack emotional or physical support. While traditional expectations often place a significant burden on women to bounce back quickly after childbirth, stories like this highlight the dire need for mental health awareness, supportive caregiving, and most importantly, protection from harm—especially from loved ones.
Medical sources confirm that the woman remains in critical condition but is receiving intensive care. Doctors are cautiously optimistic, but they emphasize that the emotional damage will take far longer to heal than the physical wounds. Psychologists familiar with postpartum trauma have urged that the victim receive immediate psychological support to prevent long-term mental health complications, such as postpartum depression or PTSD.
As the investigation continues, legal experts have pointed out that if convicted, the suspect could face charges ranging from assault occasioning grievous bodily harm to attempted murder, depending on the findings of the police and medical reports. The DSVA has confirmed it is working closely with the Lagos State Police Command to ensure a thorough investigation and prosecution.
Already, local women’s rights organizations have pledged to follow up the case and offer all necessary legal and emotional support to the victim and her family. “We’re not just going to let this die down once the news cycle moves on,” said Ngozi Okafor, a human rights lawyer and activist. “This woman deserves justice, and more importantly, her story should never be repeated. We need to start naming and shaming. We need stricter punishments. We need husbands to know: if you beat your wife, we will come for you.”
The arrest has also reopened conversations about mandatory counseling and monitoring in homes where domestic violence has previously been reported or suspected. Some are calling for the Lagos State Government to implement emergency alert systems and postpartum welfare checks, especially in low-income or high-risk communities.
As the sun sets on yet another dark tale of domestic brutality, one thing remains clear: Nigerian society cannot afford to remain silent. For every story like this that is recorded and shared, there are countless others that go unspoken, buried in shame, fear, or cultural pressure. The courage of Omosalewa Fafowora in bringing this story to light, and the bravery of the victim’s mother who stood firm even as her daughter lay unconscious, have sparked a fire that may yet bring about lasting change.
In the words of one viral comment: “A woman brought life into the world, and the one who helped create that life tried to snatch hers away. Let justice speak louder than silence.”