A quiet community in Akufo, Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State has been thrown into mourning after a married couple living with sickle cell disorder died in a shocking murder–suicide that has left their three surviving children without parents and in urgent need of care.
The deceased, Mr. Lekan Adedeji, 49, and his wife, Mrs. Zainab Adedeji, 44, reportedly took their own lives following a violent domestic incident that ended in tragedy. The couple, who had been married for over 25 years, were both sufferers of sickle cell disorder and had endured years of health and marital challenges.
According to accounts from family members, the incident occurred in December last year at their residence in Akufo, a rural community in Ido Local Government Area. Mr. Adedeji allegedly poured acid on his wife before ingesting the same substance himself. The attack was said to have been carried out after he lured his wife to the house under the excuse of giving her money for their daughter’s school fees.
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Sources within the family disclosed that before the attack, the man reportedly instructed one of their daughters to take the youngest child outside, moments before he carried out the act. Both husband and wife were rushed to the hospital, where doctors battled to save their lives.
Despite extensive medical efforts and the family’s reported expenditure of over N4 million on treatment, Mrs. Adedeji later succumbed to her injuries. Her husband also died from the effects of the acid ingestion. Their deaths marked a tragic end to a marriage that relatives say had been plagued by frequent domestic violence.
Speaking with Vanguard, Mrs. Morufat Ashake, the younger sister of the deceased woman, described the incident as devastating and painful. She said the family is still struggling to come to terms with the loss, especially considering the condition of the children left behind.
Out of the couple’s six children, three had previously died due to complications linked to sickle cell disorder. The remaining three — Rashida, Folawe, and Folahanmi — are also living with the condition and now face an uncertain future without parental care.
The children are currently under the care of their grandmother, Mrs. Titilayo Ayoola, 62, who confirmed that the marriage had been troubled for many years. She explained that caring for three sickle cell patients requires constant medical attention, regular hospital visits, and steady income, which the family currently lacks.
In emotional accounts, the children spoke about their grief and fears. They expressed concern about their education, healthcare, and daily survival, saying they urgently need help to continue schooling and manage their health conditions.
Family members revealed that the couple were not aware they were carriers of the sickle cell trait before marriage, a factor that contributed to the loss of three of their children and the ongoing health struggles of the survivors.
As the Akufo community mourns, the tragedy has once again raised concerns about domestic violence, mental health, and the lack of awareness around sickle cell screening in Nigeria — issues many believe require urgent and sustained attention to prevent similar heartbreaks in the future.
