Abdulmumuni Saidu, the father of the 15-year-old girl allegedly raped by a herdsman in the bush when she went to fetch native brooms, tells CHIMA AZUBUIKE how his family has managed the crisis and what they want the police to do

Your 15-year-old daughter was raped, how did it happen?

She went with six other girls in the same age bracket to the bush in Tulmi, in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State to get native brooms. In the process, Isah Ali, who was rearing cattle, pursued them and caught my daughter. Then he raped her.

How did you find out about it?

My daughter came home crying and there were signs that she had been penetrated. I was at home when she came in. She said the Isah Ali, a known herder in the community, had pounced on her and that she made attempts to escape but he forcibly had carnal knowledge of her.

I had no reason to doubt her. I saw that the way she was walking had changed; she was in pain. It was obvious that her private parts had been penetrated without her consent. We also heard the accounts of the other six girls that successfully escaped without been violated. The fact of the case was glaring for investigators to see.

How did you confront the suspect?

I was furious and to a large extent, I was willing to deal mercilessly with him. Unfortunately, before I could get to his location, he had fled. Of course, he knew what he had done and the consequences of his action.

When I got there, there was no sign of Ali. But if I had seen him, I don’t think saying anything to him would have been ideal; I would have descended on him.

When did you involve the police?

I was confused; you know, rape is usually treated with ridicule, especially in our society but I had to summon the courage because I wanted justice to prevail.

Were they cooperative?

Yes, the Gombe State Police Command cooperated to a great extent. They were able to launch an investigation into what happened, where it happened and why it happened. They launched a manhunt for Isah Ali, who had escaped. This cooperation will be more appreciated when they find Ali and bring him to justice.

Have you taken your daughter to the hospital?

I took her to a chemist for medical care. She has been attended to. The chemist that attended to us attested to the overwhelming proofs that she was penetrated. Fortunately, she doesn’t have any sexually transmitted infection or HIV but the trauma of been forced to have sex with a man who is fully developed is a critical challenge.

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