A disturbing incident unfolded in Abakpa Nike, Enugu State, on October 6, 2025, igniting outrage across social media platforms, Jennifer Nwafor, a mother, courageously confronted her daughter’s school after a teacher allegedly subjected her three-year-old child to brutal flogging.
The infant reportedly sustained painful bruises on her legs, raising grave concerns about the safety and discipline methods used in Nigerian schools.
In a series of viral clips posted on Facebook, Nwafor appeared visibly distraught, demanding accountability from the school authorities and immediate exposure of the teacher involved.
“Look at my child! A mere three years old!
They are hiding the teacher,” she lamented.
Her raw emotions reverberated with thousands online, sparking intense public debate on corporal punishment and child rights violations.
Mother’s Heartbreak Exposes School’s Alleged Cover-Up
The videos shared by Jennifer Nwafor expose an ugly truth: the school allegedly shielded the teacher responsible for the assault.
Nwafor accused the administration of deliberately hiding the culprit, frustrating her quest for justice.
“This mad woman was hired as a teacher, and now they refuse to bring her out,” the mother stated with palpable anger.
The child’s visible injuries were undeniable in the footage, marked red bruises apparent on her delicate legs.
The incident reportedly left the toddler unable to walk freely and forced her into treatment for fever and trauma.
The brutal scene unleashed a storm of condemnation from concerned citizens across Nigeria.
Social Media Erupts Against Corporal Punishment
The viral videos attracted thousands of reactions, mostly criticizing the school and its staff for condoning such abuse.
Users widely condemned corporal punishment as archaic and abusive rather than a disciplinary tool.
One user lamented, “Nursery pupils are still very tender to be given this kind of maltreatment.”
Another warned, “The teacher needs to be dealt with severely.”
Voices urged the mother to take firm action, including reporting the matter to the police or child protection agencies instead of only social media outcry.
Yet, others expressed empathy, vowing to hold the school accountable for employing unfit teachers.
The incident opened fresh wounds about rampant corporal punishment in educational institutions across Nigeria.
A Harsh Reality of Corporal Punishment in Nigerian Schools
This troubling occurrence is not isolated.
Corporal punishment remains fiercely prevalent in Nigerian schools despite laws and policies against physical abuse.
Studies reveal that up to 85% of schools in some regions still practice various degrees of physical punishment, with young children most vulnerable.
Caning, slapping, flogging, and other harsh methods continue to leave physical and psychological scars on students nationwide.
The case involving Jennifer Nwafor’s daughter highlights serious systemic failures.
Such indifference perpetuates violence, risking children’s safety and well-being.
Calls for Swift Justice and Policy Reforms
Outraged Nigerians are demanding decisive action from Enugu State’s Ministry of Education and child protection bodies.
Many call for immediate suspension and thorough investigation of the teacher involved, with criminal charges if warranted.
Parents insist that schools must be held accountable for neglecting proper teacher vetting and failing to safeguard young pupils.
The incident also fuels existing debates on banning corporal punishment altogether in Nigerian schools.
Advocates argue for urgent reforms favoring counseling and non-violent discipline models to protect children’s physical and mental health.
What This Means for Nigerian Education
Jennifer Nwafor’s painful ordeal should serve as a national wake-up call.
No parent should witness their innocent child suffer abuse under the guise of discipline.
Nigerian schools must overhaul disciplinary practices and enforce child protection laws rigorously.
Every stakeholder, parents, educators, government officials, bears responsibility to shield children from harm.
Schools are meant to nurture and educate, not instill fear through violence.
How You Can Help
If someone suspects a child is suffering abuse in school, it is critical to report swiftly to appropriate authorities including education ministries, police, and child welfare agencies.
Social media outcry can ignite awareness, but real impact demands legal and institutional responses.
Parents should also engage actively with schools, demanding transparency and accountability.
Together, communities can dismantle harmful norms that permit corporal punishment and create safer learning environments for all children.
