Group Vows to Seek Justice for Almajiri Boy Allegedly Raped by Fish Seller in Kaduna

By Alabi Abdulganiu,

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) responsible for the protection of children in Kaduna State, the Arridah Relief Foundation of Nigeria, is seeking justice for a seven-year-old Almajiri boy allegedly raped more than 10 times by a fish seller.The victim, name withheld, who finds it difficult to control his anus as a result of the rape, said: “He gives me fish head every time and uses me the way he wants through my anus. He also threatened me not to inform my schoolteachers and friends of what he was doing to me.”The victim’s Arabic tutor, Mallam Adamu Umar, when contacted said they noticed some changes in the boy’s behaviour, which informed their suspicion.

Umar added that the rapist’s family begged to sweep the case under the carpet, but they didn’t yield to their demands due to the sensitivity of the case.

“The family of the rapist visited us and begged us to forgive their brother, but we looked at the critical situation the child is in, and then decided to forward the case to a human rights organisation to fight for the child’s right.”

Coordinator of the NGO, Hajiya Rabi Salihu, said the increasing report of rape at Maraban Jos in Kaduna was becoming worrisome because of the abject poverty in the area. He disclosed that the case had been filed in court and they would do everything possible to ensure justice prevails.