Lagos Father Alleges Forced FGM That Led to Daughter’s Death, Calls for Justice

A Lagos resident, Prince Fadina Adedeji Fola, is seeking justice over the death of his daughter, whom he says was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) without his consent

Lagos Father Alleges Forced FGM That Led to Daughter’s Death, Calls for Justice

A Lagos resident, Prince Fadina Adedeji Fola, is seeking justice after the tragic death of his daughter, who he said was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) without parental consent.

Eniola was reported to have died on February 5, 2022, from complications arising from the alleged forced female genital mutilation.

The grieving father, while speaking to our correspondent, explained that members of his extended family remain deeply committed to a long-held cultural belief that every girl must undergo female genital mutilation (FGM) once she reaches a certain age. He said that as soon as a girl in the family gets to that stage, relatives begin to pressure and even threaten her parents to present her for the ritual. If she grows into adulthood and marries without undergoing the procedure, the threats persist—this time directed at both the woman and her husband.

He added that it was under this same cultural pressure that his relatives forcibly took his daughter, Princess Fadina Eniola Elizabeth, and subjected her to the procedure as a so-called traditional rite. The incident, he said, occurred on January 8, 2022, after he was summoned to the family house in Lagos.

FGM, which is illegal under Nigerian law, is still widely practiced in some communities as a deeply rooted cultural tradition. In this case, the family reportedly applied local herbal medications after the cutting was completed.

Rapid Decline in Child’s Health

According to Prince Fola, when Eniola returned home, she complained of severe pain. “Her mother, unaware of what had happened, treated her with paracetamol. For a few days, the child showed no alarming symptoms, leading the parents to believe she might have recovered,” he said.

However, on January 29, 2022, her condition suddenly deteriorated. Prince Fola said his daughter began experiencing acute discomfort and signs of infection. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed she had developed septicemia — a life-threatening blood infection. The disease is said to have resulted from the use of unsterilized tools and unsafe herbal applications during the procedure.

“Despite timely medical intervention, Eniola died on February 5, 2022,” Prince Fola said in tears.

Trauma and Ongoing Fear

The loss has left the family devastated. Prince Fola and his wife described experiencing severe emotional stress, including fear for their surviving daughter, who will soon reach the age traditionally targeted for circumcision within the family.

“We cannot sleep,” he told our reporter. “We fear our remaining daughter will suffer the same fate.”

Lack of Enforcement and Accountability

The grieving parents say they reported the case to the police, but no arrests have been made. They believe the matter has not progressed due to the social influence and status of those involved.

“I reported the matter to the police on Thursday, February 10, and was told an investigation would follow, but I haven’t received any updates on their progress,” he disclosed.

Although Nigeria criminalized FGM through the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, enforcement remains inconsistent. Advocacy groups — including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) — have warned that thousands of Nigerian girls remain at risk each year due to cultural pressures and limited government intervention.

Urgent Call for Change

This case highlights what activists describe as a persistent gap between legislation and protection. While policies exist to eradicate FGM, the lack of prosecution continues to embolden perpetrators and endanger vulnerable children.

Human rights advocates are calling for sStronger accountability within law-enforcement agencies, expanded community education on the dangers of FGM, and immediate support and protection for families resisting the practice.

For Prince Fola and his family, the fight is now personal. “Our daughter died because of this,” he said. “We do not want another family to go through this pain.