As time goes on, people will start to believe that the whole idea of fighting rapists in northern Nigeria is a mere pretension. Perhaps not because we love or support the heinous act, but the simple fact that, we only register our interest to fight a rapist when the victim is a complete stranger. This might seem weird, and to many an unproven assertion. Nevertheless, it is not only true, the cluelessness is starting to become a grounded tradition in northern Nigeria.
Some weeks ago, amidst the holy month of Ramadan, a sister, Mariya, who happens to be a medical student got a report from a fellow medical student resident in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi state that, a three year old girl was heartlessly raped by an adult, as a result of which she suffered a 'three degree tear'. As I write this, I believe he has access to relevant documents to support the aforementioned. He narrated how the parents were devastated and vulnerable. How they refused to lodge a complaint with a police station due to their financial handicap. Such was an awry experience not only for the parents, but all persons present there, yes! Including you, the person reading this. That was the situation that set ablaze the heart of Mariya's mate to fight against whoever the rapist was, and to give all the necessary support that would mitigate the consequences of the heinous act against the victim.
He told Mariya about it, and within a very short while, a team of which I was part of was formed. We took up the matter, and traced through the victim's medical record the victim's father. He was at first an easy going person, maybe because he thought we were just pretending to fight the case, the truth of which came to negate his thoughts. He told us that, they had no suspect whatsoever thinking we'll let go of the matter, but was shocked by what he saw of our dedication to fight the case no matter the odds. When we insisted, he told us that the police refused to register his complaint, a news which came to us as a shock.
We went to an activist, a prudent and passionate journalist, Jamila Obiano, working with Albarka Radio for direction on how to go about the matter. There she told us that, majority of the rape cases she was involved in, the perpetrators were close relatives or other people close to the victims. She also told us that, the instant case might not be any different. After a series of phonecalls, we were assured that the complainant would be registered. A path we took which entirely shortchanged the story.
Later that same day, Safiyyerh, who was so passionate about getting the culprit cut out of the society called the father to inform him of the development, but to our bewilderment, he outrightly complained that his elder brother advised that the matter be settled out of court and on an exclusive family table. That was something we never saw coming, but then, that unveiled the fact that, of course the culprit was known, but shielded by his victims. Disappointed by his actions and inactions, silence and utterances full of guilt, we resolved to let go of the case, a decision we dearly reversed to see where the story ends.
The next day, Safiyyerh called and informed him of how his decision to settle the matter out of court would affect his society and subject other women to the same torture, probably his wife or his other children. His response? you'll not believe it. He shamelessly said; " I don't know why you keep pestering me on this. I told you, we don't need it. All these are a threat to my life. You don't know how I'm threatened by all these. Since the occurrence of this tragedy, myriads of threats have surfaced on my cup of tea. Please put this matter to bed." His words told us a story beyond the open. That either he's the culprit or he abates him. That was how the issue ended, maybe not only for his soul to rest but most importantly, because some of us believed that he was threatened by some external forces, and that being a family man, he should not be subjected to "undue torture"( their words). Putting an individual's interest over that of a whole community. Let me not forget! Prior to the instant case, myriads of such cases were recorded and even now, rape is a work in progress in Darazo.
This is one out of a thousand cases in which the victims abate the culprit. Sometimes for fear of stigmatization, but mostly because the culprit occupies a ventilated and well furnished abode in the nation of their hearts. Both excuses are baseless and unethical, clueless and disfigured.
I am at the threshold in the fight against rape and rapists, but with the unveiling circumstances, the fight seems all in vain since the victims seem happy and satisfied with the atrocity. We can't keep living in a community devoid of vision and purpose. We can't continue to shield under the veil of pity, culture and religion to harbour and abate criminals. We must find it convincing to excuse the victims against our aimless stigmatization and uncultured pity. We have to treat them as we treat our dear ones. They are not monsters, but surely the victims of an uncalled cruelty.
Unless we change how we treat the victims, they would continue to shield the culprits, and without the culprits, ours would always remain an exercise in futility. This is a fight against all of us, for we all have a part to share in the blame. We are the architects of our rift.
Email address; muftahuddeenisa@gmail.com
Phone number; 07030819516
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