₦airaland Forum

By Saheed Oyelakin


A 28-year-old widow identified as Tosin has become the centre of a viral case involving alleged threats, intimidation, and attempted dispossession by her late husband’s family, just eight days after his death.

The incident, shared on Tuesday by activist Harrison Gwamnishu on his X handle, has prompted a response from the Lagos State Government, which confirmed that the alleged perpetrator had been arrested.

In a video posted by the activist, a man identified as Tosin’s father-in-law is seen padlocking the gate of the property, apparently locking the widow out of the house.

Sharing the footage, Gwamnishu wrote, “Standing with young widow TOSIN. This man here is Tosin’s father-in-law. See him padlocking the gate, locking Tosin outside.

“He has his own house. They are after properties and forgetting there are two children left behind. Tosin is now being threatened for going public.”

He added that while awaiting intervention from the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, a petition would be submitted to the Lagos State Police Command.

“Our demand is simple: In-laws move to your house and allow Tosin to mourn her late husband,” he stated.

In an earlier post, Gwamnishu alleged that Tosin’s husband died on July 20, 2026, after which members of his family moved into the deceased’s residence at No. 8 Jumofak, Igbo Oluwo Estate, Koya Adeniran, Ikorodu.

According to him, the widow’s father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law and his wife allegedly ordered her to move all her personal belongings and those of her two young sons into a single room in the house.

He further claimed that some of the deceased’s belongings had already been shared among family members, while plans were underway to sell his car.

“This grieving widow is now living in fear for herself and her two children,” Gwamnishu said.

“She is appealing to the Lagos State Government, especially the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, to urgently intervene and protect her and her children from intimidation, unlawful dispossession and any further actions that may deprive her children of their late father’s inheritance.

“No widow should have to fight for dignity, shelter and justice just days after losing her husband.”

Responding in a statement on Tuesday, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency said it became aware of the viral report and immediately contacted the widow.

According to the agency, the survivor alleged that she had been subjected to threats to her life, physical assault and intimidation following her husband’s death.

“The Agency successfully established contact with the survivor, who alleged that she had been subjected to threats to her life, physical assault, and intimidation following the recent death of her husband.

“She further informed the Agency that the matter had already been reported to the Owutu Police Division.

“As part of its intervention, the Agency commenced engagement with the investigating police officers handling the case.

“Preliminary feedback from the Police confirms that the alleged perpetrator has been arrested and is currently in custody, while investigations continue,” the statement read.

The agency said the Lagos State Government remained committed to ensuring the safety and protection of the widow and her children while working with relevant stakeholders to ensure justice is served in accordance with the law.

It also urged members of the public to continue reporting cases of domestic and sexual violence through its official reporting channels.

Stephen0mozzy:
If you have kids when you marry:
Write a Will!
Write a Will! Write a Will.

Don't completely cut out your immediate family from your assets sha, but ensure properties are willed to your kids and wife - clearly defined - WITH A CLAUSE THAT WHEN SHE REMARRIES, THE OWNERSHIP MUST BE PASSED DOWN TO YOUR OWN KIDS - AND IF THE KIDS ARE YOUNG, THE PROPERTIES CANNOT BE SOLD UNTIL THE KIDS ARE OF ADULT AGE.

If you feel your wife is a skosko, then will the properties to your kids and hire a Lawyer as an executor of your estate, abi as them dey talk am.

Meanwhile, the government (Ministry of Women Affairs) should take that family on an excursion to prison.

SixSeven:
Is it even enough? What about honoring contracts?

Men, you can't trust your family entirely because the attitude they display is because you are alive and there. People can change

Stephen0mozzy:
When a man doe not set boundaries on what he'll tolerate in his own nuclear family, that's when extended family will misbehave.

My family know that I love them to the moon and back, they also know that I'm a wicked person (no-nonsense tolerated), so there are things I won't let them suggest about my own wife/children, so that even when I'm no longer around, they'll respect that - but note, you must not become an enemy to your own family sha, because na your wife fo suffer am, they'll say she turned you against them, even though she MIGHT? be innocent.

SixSeven:
Respectfully sir, I still insist that when someone is dead, they cannot do nada to those alive. They only pretend while you are there. Trust me, I have seen this a lot. Strong man, strong man, wait and see what happens if that man has one illness or problem. Don't trust anyone but yourself. We are still animals at the base, I have seen how people change depending on circumstance that's why there are certain things money can never ever ever buy, chief of it is CHARACTER.

SixSeven:
Is it even enough? What about honoring contracts?

Men, you can't trust your family entirely because the attitude they display is because you are alive and there. People can change and you can never trust the human instinct not to succumb to greed. If you are alive, do whatever you can to give it to her in her name while you are alive, don't wait for death. The world is not smiling. Families are usually entitled to their sons and see the woman as a foreign entity that came to share space. They don't even look at her as someone who came to expand the family and left her father's home. They just treat her anyhow they like. Only a few with conscience do unto others what they wish done to them. Therefore, in this life, since you know human beings are unpredictable, do what is predictable and within your control. The dead have no fight in the game of the living. Love is not enough.

crestedaguiyi:
No family will turn against the daughter-in-law who treated them well when their son was alive; it rarely happens. It all starts with how you treated them when their son was alive.

Some people can't visit their siblings because of the kind of wife he has and her attitude towards them. there has to be bond between the woman and her new family; otherwise, she should be ready for what will happen when the man dies before her. It will be worse when they know she never had anything tangible like work or business of her own

zoedew:
Get a Lawyer fast to teach the father in law some legal sense! Better still visit the office of the public defender at the ministry of justice alas lagos. you should get some help.

Stephen0mozzy:
A Will is a legal document backed by government (Judiciary). You're not trusting the "behavior" - you're ensuring Everyone respects your will.

If the man had a will, all this lady would have had to do is submit a lawsuit/petition for encroachment.

SixSeven:
Is it even enough? What about honoring contracts?

Men, you can't trust your family entirely because the attitude they display is because you are alive and there. People can change and you can never trust the human instinct not to succumb to greed. If you are alive, do whatever you can to give it to her in her name while you are alive, don't wait for death. The world is not smiling. Families are usually entitled to their sons and see the woman as a foreign entity that came to share space. They don't even look at her as someone who came to expand the family and left her father's home. They just treat her anyhow they like. Only a few with conscience do unto others what they wish done to them. Therefore, in this life, since you know human beings are unpredictable, do what is predictable and within your control. The dead have no fight in the game of the living. Love is not enough.

Willy2025:
Why after the property of the deceased immediately? They should still be mourning at that point in time? What do they want to do with his property when he has a wife and surviving children? The dark days when these barbaric attitudes were tolerated are over. With this age of technological advancement and civilisation, people are ready to resist and fight for the oppressed.

Dancebreaker:
True. Equally, you cannot trust any wife entirely. A wife or blood relative can kill you over property.

A good middle way is to write a VALID will. Even if you are still young.

Ensure your kids get the majority. Get lawyers to execute and manage it for the kids until they are 18 or even 21.
Give your wife her own share since she will look after the kids.

A seemingly loving wife can give all your wealth to her lover (old or new) when you are no longer around.

The monkey says she can only trust a baby inside her womb.