…Grieving mother alleges secret burial, calls for investigation
A tragic incident has thrown the Ugbolokposo community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State into mourning after a 13-year-old girl, identified as Davina, was allegedly murdered and secretly buried by her father, Mr. Taye.
According to reports, Davina’s mother, Miss Dorcas, who had singlehandedly raised her for 13 years, released the teenager to her father after he requested that she spend the holiday with him for bonding purposes. Mr. Taye, who is married to another woman, allegedly assured Miss Dorcas that the child would be well taken care of.
However, voice notes that surfaced weeks earlier suggested that Taye, his wife, and his sister had told Miss Dorcas she might never set eyes on her daughter again. Davina was said to have been subjected to emotional stress and was allegedly confined within the household.
Last week, the teenager reportedly managed to call her mother using her father’s phone, pleading to be taken away. But the call was intercepted, and her father allegedly dismissed her distress, insisting she would “adapt to her new environment.”
As schools were set to resume on Monday, September 8, Miss Dorcas requested that her daughter be returned home to continue her education. The family allegedly refused, insisting Davina would remain with them.
Shockingly, on Sunday, September 7, Miss Dorcas received a distressing call informing her that her daughter was about to be buried. She rushed to Taye’s family compound, only to be assaulted by Taye and his sister before being shown the shallow grave where Davina had already been interred without her knowledge or consent.
Distraught and overwhelmed, the grieving mother reportedly collapsed and was later revived. The matter was immediately reported to the Ebrumede Police Station.
Police operatives, acting on the complaint, stormed the family compound late Sunday night. While Taye and his relatives had fled, his wife was arrested. During interrogation, she claimed she had left the house a week earlier when Davina was still alive, adding that she was unaware of what transpired.
Mr. Taye, now on the run, claimed in a brief statement that his daughter had suddenly taken ill on Sunday and died at a hospital, after which he buried her the same day.
Human rights activist, Comrade Israel Joe, condemned the development and called on the Delta State Police Command to launch a full investigation into Davina’s mysterious death.
“We are demanding that the police exhume the body for autopsy, declare Taye wanted, and prosecute all those involved to ensure justice for Davina,” Joe said.
The Delta State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement as investigations continue.
