A UK-based Nigerian woman has made a plea for assistance after a series of troubling events led to the removal of her children by social services and the arrest of her husband.
In an interview, the woman described her ordeal, which began on December 3, 2024.
“On the 3rd of December, my daughter, who I have always had concerns about and have always spoken to the school about, made a disclosure to her school as regards my husband,” she explained.
“My husband was arrested on the same day, and on the 8th of December, my daughter retracted her statement.”
According to the woman, social services intervened shortly after.
“On the 12th of December, the social services gave me a letter to be at the court at 1 pm, and the court was at 2 pm on that same day. My children were immediately removed from me,” she revealed.
She noted that the court’s decision to remove her children left her devastated.
“I started having supervised contacts with them, and the student social worker accused me of whispering to my daughter and intimidating her. Hence, I was arrested by the police on the 6th of January 2025 and bailed not to see my children for now.”
The woman’s troubles did not end there. She stated that the police had confiscated her electronic devices, further isolating her.
“The police have got in custody both my phones and laptop,” she said.
“Durham police have been unfair to me and social workers because I’m the only one fighting this course. I can’t see my children, neither can I communicate with my husband on bail.”
In her plea, she appealed for assistance from Nigerian authorities, saying, “Please come to my rescue. I have no contact in the Nigerian High Commission to help, nor anyone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist.”
The woman also expressed frustration over the school’s handling of previous concerns she had raised about her daughter.
“I have been raising documented concerns with this school at her behaviour, exposure, and ways of life. Even the school at a point were questioning if that was the right place for her,” she stated.
The distressing case has sparked discussions among Nigerians in the UK and beyond, with many sympathizing with her plight.
She added, “I know a lot of Nigerians are in this situation. No one is stopping them from investigating, but the way this is being handled is unfair.” (Text, excluding headline: Vanguard)
