A heart-wrenching case of child abuse has emerged from Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, where a four-year-old orphan named Ukasha was brutally assaulted by his guardian, Mai-Naira Abdullahi.
The attack was allegedly triggered by the child’s innocent display of joy dancing at a wedding celebration.
The disturbing incident unfolded on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in the Galafima Phase II area of Tudun Amba. According to eyewitnesses, Ukasha, like many children at the event, was happily dancing to music played at the reception. Even Abdullahi’s wife and several other women and children were reportedly dancing at the party. But upon returning home, what should have been a joyous memory turned into a nightmare.
According to sources within the community, Abdullahi who the young boy calls “Uncle” lashed out at Ukasha, accusing him of violating his religious beliefs by participating in the dance. His response was violent and disproportionate: he beat the boy severely, inflicting numerous wounds across his body.
“It was horrifying. This is a four-year-old child, an orphan. He danced, like the other children, and that was enough reason for his guardian to attack him,” a local resident told reporters. “The beating was merciless. People in the neighborhood heard the screams and tried to intervene. It took an Islamic cleric to finally stop him.”
Photos of Ukasha’s injuries reveal a grim reality deep lacerations and bruises cover his back, sides, face, and stomach. Shockingly, eyewitnesses confirmed that the child had not received any medical treatment or even pain relief, more than 48 hours after the incident.
The cruelty of the assault has sparked public outrage and condemnation, especially from human rights groups. The Men Against Rape Foundation (MARF), a national advocacy organisation, described the act as “bordering on attempted murder” and demanded swift justice.
In a joint statement signed by Executive Director Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe and Director of Strategic Development Dr. Augustine Eigbe, MARF decried the abuse and called on the Nasarawa State Government to take immediate action.
“This innocent child was not only flogged severely, he was subjected to a level of violence that no human, let alone a child should ever endure,” the statement read. “The beating left him with fresh, untreated wounds. It is a clear failure of the system meant to protect children.”
The group also highlighted a troubling trend of unchecked violence against minors in the region, pointing to a similar case from February 2025, where a student at an Islamic school in Lafia was allegedly beaten to death, a case that, to date, has seen no justice served.
MARF is calling on Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, to personally oversee the investigation and ensure the child is removed from the abusive environment. They also urged relevant government agencies, including the National Human Rights Commission and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, to intervene, provide immediate medical attention, and offer psychological support to Ukasha.
“There must be consequences for those who believe they can hide behind religion or culture to inflict pain on innocent children,” the group asserted. “A society that turns a blind eye to violence against its most vulnerable is sowing the seeds of its own destruction.”
The case continues to attract national attention, as activists, child rights advocates, and concerned citizens demand justice not just for Ukasha, but for every child living in fear under guardians who should be their protectors.
