SGBV: Siblings Face Woes of Abuse by the same Perpetrator in Maiduguri

 

Photo:WuzupNigeria 

By: Hadiza Ibrahim Ngulde

Borno State has continued to record an increase in number of sexual and gender-based violence cases, which is largely attributed to the over a decade long Boko Haram insurgency. In the aftermath of the conflict, the national human right commission (NHRC) recorded 495 SGBV cases in 2022, where the states ministry of women affairs and social development reported the recording of over 700 cases in 2023.

The newly found peace in the conflict ridden state has been gradually rebuilding the faded trust among people in their communities. However, the bitterness of the incident that befalls Aliya*, 8, and Kulu*, 6, left their family traumatised, and the community outraged.

"Kulu* told me about how a teenage boy lured her and her sister into his home and sexually abused them" Maman Kulu* lamented.

The accused perpetrator who was said to be a 17 year-old boy is from Fori community where the incident occured. The unformidable act which went on for an unknown duration only came to light when one of the children spoke to her mother about what transpired.

Kulu* speaks up

"It was the little one (Kulu*) that told me what the boy has been doing to them, I was shocked at the bizarre news I  received from my daughter and immediately raised alarm by telling their  father," 

"While I engaged in a deeper discussion with them both, Aliya revealed that the 17-year-old boy threatened her not to tell anybody about what he did to her, that he showed her a knife and said he would kill her whenever her parents are not home if she dare tell anyone about what happened". Maman Kulu* explained.

Maman Kulu* emphasized on the innocence of her daughters to handle such abuse at early age.

"They are just little girls, the whole experience instilled a lot of fear in them. I still couldn't believe what my daughter has told me, It's like a nightmare that I wish I could wake up from," she narrated while fighting back tears.

"I will seek justice for my daughters" 

The family of the young girls who are deeply disturbed and infuriated, has reported the case at GRA police station for due action.

"My daughters' rights must be fought for, and I will not rest until justice is served, the case is ongoing at GRA Police Station here in the state's capital."she said.

Health concerns 

Sexual assault especially on minors has adverse physical and psychological implications. Aliya and Kulu are not different, as they are both receiving medical treatment at the hospital.

"They continuously complains of stomach ache and unexplained body weakness. I don't show them how disturbed I am, because I am the adult here, but I'm a mother and a woman, I know that no matter how long this thing will take, it will continue to affect my daughters," she lamented. 

"What befalls my daughters is unfortunate, as you can see, we cannot afford some of the  medications that they prescribed, and we cannot continue staying at the hospital, that's why we have resorted to a salt sit bath as a form  of disinfectant". 

Way forward

The case highlights the disturbing trend of teenage perpetrators committing heinous crimes against minors. 

The incident has sparked concerns about the safety and protection of children in the community. The community demands justice for the survivors and calls for measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

*Note*: All names with asterisk are changed to protect sources.


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