Man Kills Wife with Acid, Takes Own Life, Leaves Three Children—Two with Sickle Cell

A long-standing pattern of domestic abuse in Akufo, Ido Local Government Area, has ended in tragedy after a 49-year-old man allegedly attacked his wife with acid before ingesting the corrosive substance himself. The incident killed both parents and left their three children, two living with sickle cell disorder, facing urgent medical and educational needs.

The deceased, Mr. Lekan Adedeji and Mrs. Zainab Adedeji, 44, had been married for over 25 years. Family members said their marriage was marked by persistent violence, compounded by the fact that both partners carried the sickle cell trait, which affected their children’s health.

Morufat Ashake, Zainab’s younger sister and current guardian of the children, told the *Nigerian Tribune* that the couple was unaware of their genetic compatibility when they married. “They only discovered the children’s condition after repeated illnesses. Tests later revealed two of the surviving children are SS,” she said.

Mrs. Adedeji had six children, three of whom died from sickle cell complications. The surviving children are Rashida, 20 (SS); Folawe, 17 (AS); and Folahanmi, 6 (SS). Rashida and Folahanmi require regular medical attention due to sickle cell crises.

Ashake said domestic violence had been ongoing. “He frequently beat her and insisted she continue giving birth despite the risks. The violence was extreme,” she explained. Mrs. Adedeji had moved out of the family home three months before the attack, refusing to return.

The fatal incident reportedly began when the husband summoned his wife under the pretext of providing school fees. After she arrived with two children, he allegedly asked one child to leave, locked the door, and poured acid on his wife before ingesting it himself. Prior to consuming the acid, he handed over his mobile phone and money intended for the children’s education to another person.

Mrs. Adedeji received treatment costing over N4 million but died on January 23. Her mother, 62-year-old Titilayo Ayoola, confirmed the couple’s troubled marriage and expressed concern over the care of the surviving children. “These children need medication and constant care. I am already old. I do not know how we will manage without help,” she said.

The children spoke of their grief and the challenges ahead. Rashida said, “We lost our mum and our dad. We are in so much pain, and now there is nobody to take care of us.” Folawe added, “Everything happened so fast. We need help to continue our education and to look after our health.”

The family lived in a four-bedroom flat built by the husband in Akufo. Relatives are now appealing to the public for assistance to meet the children’s medical and educational needs and to support their elderly grandmother.