A 27-year-old Lagos-based hairdresser, identified simply as Fatima, is currently undergoing treatment after allegedly being assaulted by her lover in the Ebutte Meta area of Lagos State, resulting in the loss of six teeth.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, July 12, during a heated altercation between the couple at their residence on Ibadan Street.
Sources close to the family said the dispute escalated into violence, leaving Fatima with severe facial injuries.
A family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told PUNCH Metro on Tuesday that they were initially unaware of the full extent of Fatima’s injuries until a neighbour notified them of her hospitalisation.
“We only found out it was a case of domestic violence when someone we sent to check on her informed us that she had been beaten by her partner.
A picture confirmed that several of her teeth had been knocked out,” the family source said.
According to the relative, the matter was reported at Denton Police Station, and the suspect was briefly detained. However, he was later released allegedly after Fatima herself pleaded for his freedom.
A local resident, who identified himself as Adetunji, claimed that the victim had endured repeated physical abuse in the relationship, often choosing to return to her partner despite previous interventions by concerned neighbours.
“This is not the first time we’ve witnessed something like this,” he said. “But this time, the injuries were so severe that her family had no choice but to intervene. Still, she begged for his release.”
Another source disclosed that Fatima is currently receiving dental treatment and has been fitted with a temporary dental support device.
A surgical procedure has been scheduled for August 15 to address the injuries more permanently.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had not responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
Multiple calls and a text message to his mobile phone went unanswered.
This latest case echoes a similar incident earlier this year, when PUNCH Metro reported the arrest of a 23-year-old man, Gbolahan Adebayo, for allegedly beating his girlfriend to death in the Ijedodo area of Alimosho Local Government.