The stories of tragedy reflect the increasing impunity in the Nigerian society and how, sometimes, the law and even law enforcement capabilities run short. The one is about Frederick Olorunfemi who died in a scuffle with the rapist of his seven-year-old daughter.

The other story is about the daughter of Korshima-Achirkpi whose daughter was beaten to death by one Ujunwa for whom she was working as a maid. She covered the alleged murder with a clever and elaborate deception until she had to confess.

Olorunfemi’s case involved his daughter who was always taken to and fro school in the school bus driven by Jacob. The driver was always taking her to his home in Ogun State before bringing her to the parent’s home.

When the father learned of the secret, he lunged at him at the school and Jacob pushed him to his death. Jacob has fled.

The case of Precious Korshima, daughter of Korshima-Achirkpi, also touches the heart. Ujunwa was feeding her daughter, a newborn, at night when Precious had already slept. She woke her up and beat Precious until she lost her life.

According to her own confession, Ujunwa took the girl to a hospital in Enugu where she resided, and a doctor certified her dead. She dumped the body in a refuse area, and wove an elaborate hoax about a kidnap in which the perpetrators wanted a N20 million ransom. After that, she said both had been released but the kidnappers shot the girl.

However, it turned out that the body had started to decompose and a village head ordered the youths in the area to incinerate it.

“It feels like my heart has been ripped out of my body. I feel very empty. Precious just clocked nine a few months ago. She was too smart for her age. She didn’t deserve to die,” Korshima-Achirkpi said amid sobs.”

”The investigation revealed that the suspect confessed to have, during the night hours of November 8, 2022, beaten and caused the death of the minor, who was her house-help, in her residence at Fidelity Estate, Enugu.

“Thereafter, in the morning hours of the following day, she took the lifeless body of the child to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, for medical attention.”

The story breaks the heart but it makes more evil intrigue when the father says the New Haven Divisional Police Officer foot-dragged on the matter. He also alleged that some police officers demanded a N200,000 bribe to expedite it.

“My child was killed and he is saying it was a dispute? I haven’t even seen her corpse. What kind of settlement was he talking about? I want to see my daughter’s corpse. I want justice for my daughter,” he cried.

The matter is already in court and we urge the court to bring the case to an end.

Both stories reflect the cunning of crime. We are not even sure if Ujunwa did not respond to a post-partum affliction. She was alone at home with Precious while her husband was not in the country and beside her to nurse the newborn.

Olorunfemi’s narrative is sad for the trust that he and his wife placed on a driver. Jacob was at large at the time of writing this piece. We urge also the police to track him down and bring him to justice.

Yet, neither justice for Ujunwa and Jacob can retrieve the precious ones that departed because of moments of savagery.

It means parents should pay more attention to whoever takes care of their child. Trust is a diminishing value in an increasingly urban and broken society. It was too much trust that cost both lives, but we need more trust in the ability to be parents.