Aliyah Masaku, 5, who was attacked by 3 dogs owned by the Landlord of the house she and her father live, has died.
The attack occurred on Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Bin Sulaimon Avenue, off Ewuren Road, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
She was first taken to the Ikorodu General Hospital after the incident on Monday, but was transferred on Wednesday to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where she died.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack lasted for about 2 hours and they could not gain access into the compound as the gates were locked, and there are over 10 dogs in the compound.
“Initially, we thought it was the child’s father that was beating her when she started crying for help. When we realised that the dogs were attacking her, we couldn’t do anything because there were many dogs at the main gate,” one neighbour had said.
According to medical officers at the Emergency Ward of the Ikorodu General Hospital, where the victim was rushed to, the attack led to the damage of one of the toddler’s eyes.
The dogs also removed one of the victim’s tooth and inflicted multiple lacerations on several parts of her body.
The Landlord, Abdul-Akeem Sulaimon, had travelled to London and handed over are of the dogs to Aliyah’s father Wasiu.
Wasiu had reportedly left the house to get dog feed, when one of the dogs, identified as Rover, allegedly broke loose from the kennel and entered Wasiu’s apartment.
The dog reportedly dragged the victim to the back of the house where it was joined by two others in attacking the girl.
Angry residents broke into the house at about 11PM on Monday and destroyed some properties in the premises before killing Rover.
Speaking to PUNCH at about 4PM on Wednesday, Wasiu said that his daughter had a minor surgery at the hospital, before she was transferred to LASUTH.
“This afternoon, the doctors said her condition had worsened and she was not breathing normally again. They said they would need to take her to the Intensive Care Unit where I would spend about N500,000 per day. They have not been asking for money from me, except for the drugs. Please help me ask Nigerians for support.”
Around 6PM, Wasiu informed called to say that Aliyah had been pronounced dead and broke down in tears.
The Director of the Office of Public Defender, Olubukola Salami, speaking after hearing the said news, said: “This is very sad. The girl sustained too many injuries. She was a victim of negligence and greed. We will be going to the house to remove the dogs on Friday.”
