An 11-year-old girl, Fadila, was allegedly beaten to death by her mother in Zaria.
The tragic case has reignited calls for justice, with residents condemning long-term abuse.
Tragedy struck the Tukur-Tukur community in Zaria, Kaduna State, following the reported death of an 11-year-old girl, Fadila, who was allegedly beaten to death by her mother over a missing ₦100 note. The incident occurred on Saturday evening, just before the Maghrib prayer, and has since triggered widespread shock and condemnation among local residents.
Eyewitnesses and neighbors claim that the mother, identified as Khadija, became enraged after accusing her daughter of taking ₦100 that had been given to her during the recent Sallah celebrations. In a fit of anger, Khadija is said to have used a pestle to repeatedly beat the young girl, leading to injuries that proved fatal.
Sources within the community revealed that the incident was not an isolated case of abuse. Residents stated that the young girl had long endured physical maltreatment from her mother. According to them, Fadila was often sent out to hawk goods, and any failure or misunderstanding in the process usually resulted in harsh punishment.
“This is not the first time the girl was beaten like this,” said a neighbor who requested anonymity. “People have been watching for years. Any time she returns from hawking and something goes wrong, her mother would beat her mercilessly as if she wasn’t her biological daughter.”
Another neighbor added that the community was so enraged by the incident that many refused to attend the funeral prayer for the deceased. “We just couldn’t. We couldn’t bring ourselves to join the Janazah prayer. What happened to that girl was inhumane and unjust. It didn’t feel right to pray under those circumstances,” he said.
Fadila’s father, Malam Mustapha Musa, told local reporters that he was away from home when the tragedy occurred. Upon his return, he was informed of the fatal incident involving his daughter. Grieving and overwhelmed, he transported his daughter’s remains to their ancestral hometown in Kano State, where she was buried according to Islamic rites. “I wasn’t there when it happened,” he said solemnly. “But I’ve handed everything over to God.”
When questioned about the event, Khadija admitted to physically disciplining her daughter but claimed she never intended to cause her death. “I beat her, but it wasn’t my intention to kill her. The other children were at home with me. I didn’t know it would lead to this,” she stated during a preliminary investigation.
Following the incident, both parents were reportedly invited for questioning by local vigilantes in the area. However, the matter was soon escalated and transferred to the police for formal investigation. A local security officer confirmed that law enforcement officials had taken over the case.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Command had not released an official statement regarding the case. Repeated efforts to reach the police spokesperson, DSP Mansur Hassan, proved unsuccessful.
The case has reignited conversations on child abuse, parental responsibility, and the need for stronger community intervention in cases of domestic violence. Many residents are calling for justice for Fadila and hope that authorities will take swift and transparent action in the matter.
