The police in Osun, southwest Nigeria, have declared wanted the owner of the house at Hallelujah Estate in Osogbo, the state capital, after two dogs in the building killed a five-year-old child.

It was learnt that the cross-bred dogs also attacked the mother after killing the child. The dogs had bitten her several times before residents in the deserted neighbourhood came to her rescue, Vanguard reports.

The woman and the little girl were said to be walking past a vacant building in the area when the two dogs emerged and separated mother and child.

An eyewitness explained that the helpless woman’s efforts to save her daughter failed as the dogs killed the girl.

According to the report, the dogs later descended on the mother but she was rescued by some neighbours who intervened.

One of the residents identified as Sodiq Abass said the dogs had been in the building alone for a very long time, adding that the gory incident occurred because residents of the area were not always around and it was almost difficult to hear anyone calling for help.

“The dogs appeared like they wanted to kill the mother after killing her daughter, but for some passers-by, who saw the scene and quickly called for help. It is unfortunate that help didn’t arrive on time for the little girl,” the resident said.

However, Osun State Police command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola who confirmed the incident said efforts were ongoing to arrest the owner of the house.