LAGOS — Outrage has trailed the death of an 11-month-old baby girl, Ifeoluwa Faith Adam, following an alleged case of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos.

The infant, born on January 5, 2025, reportedly died on November 27, 2025, two days after the procedure was allegedly carried out.

Sources told reporters that the baby and her mother were forcibly taken from their residence on Santos Avenue in the Abule Egba area of Lagos to their paternal family house in Mafoluku, where the circumcision was allegedly performed on November 25, 2025.

Residents in the area said the baby developed severe complications shortly after the procedure.

She was subsequently rushed to Orile-Agege General Hospital for medical attention, where doctors reportedly tried to stabilise her condition.

However, the infant was said to have died two days later, on November 27 2025.

The child’s parents, Mr Adam Opeyemi and Mrs Omolola Adam, who are said to hail from Osun State, were reportedly devastated by the tragic development.

Family sources identified the alleged perpetrators as the head of the family, one Mr Gbenga Samuel, alongside two female relatives, Felicia Osunwande, 61, and Omobolanle Egungbemi, 64.

Residents told reporters that the act was allegedly carried out under the guise of family tradition.

The parents later reported the incident at Makinde Police Station, Mafoluku Oshodi area of Lagos after the baby’s condition worsened.

Police were said to have arrested the three suspects during the preliminary investigation.

However, there were claims that the family head, Mr Samuel, who was described by some locals as a political thug in the area, later secured his release as well as that of the two women.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Lagos State Police Command on the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the alleged release were ongoing at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, residents in Mafoluku said the tragedy has heightened fears in the community, noting that the incident was the third case of alleged FGM recorded in the area within the same year.

Nigeria criminalised female genital mutilation under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which prescribes prison terms and fines for offenders.

Health experts warn that the practice can cause severe bleeding, infections, long-term complications and, in extreme cases, death, particularly among infants and young children.

Child rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of the law and increased awareness campaigns to eradicate the practice.

Concerned residents have now urged authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death and ensure anyone found culpable faces the full weight of the law.