Heartbreaking: How I was gang raped by nine Muslim boys

Editor’s Note:  One of our readers has taken the brave step of writing a letter to us about a horrendous gang rape she endured aged just 17, in hope that the perpetrators of this vile act will be caught and that other abused women will not fear speaking out.  Her words are harrowing but her courage is utterly inspirational.

My name is Linda, I am aged 17 and I am in SS 1.

On Tuesday the 5th of April I was with my cousin Rahilla, aged 14 and a JSS1 student, when we were sent to go and buy vegetables for lunch at about 1pm.

On our way, nine Muslim boys from Unguwan Jumare appeared and followed us.

They then started molesting us by touching our breasts forcefully.

Rape is a problem of pandemic proportions in Nigeria

Despite our resistance, they followed us to the bank of a river. As we arrived at the river they pushed me inside and followed me, we wrestled as they struggled to rape me, they closed my mouth in order to prevent me from shouting so as not attract passers-by.

Consequently, I was weak, therefore they took turns to rape me.

Seeing what happened, my cousin ran back home to alert our people.

On noticing Rahilla’s move, they left me alone and stood by the bank of the river, thus I managed to go out of the river.

However, they pursued me, tore my clothes, and forcefully did it again!

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On sighting someone approaching the scene they took to their heels. As I managed to walk back home, two of them followed me from behind, then one of them raped me under the watch of his partner in the crime!

As Rahilla ran back home she accosted one Baba Isa and narrated the incident to him.

The rapists saw him and attempted to flee but he stopped them and upon interrogation they told him that they were only begging me as at that time, I could not recognize any of them,

It was Baba Isa that recognized them, thus my dad and Baba Isa reported the case to the vigilante men and they advised that the matter should be discussed at their office.

The boys were arrested and taken to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Saminaka.

Rapists often escape with little to no punishment for their crimes

Seven of them are now in detention, one ran away but his dad is detained in his place.

My brothers insisted that medical tests should be conducted on them to ascertain their status.

It is instructive to note that their parents are begging that the matter should be settled outside the police station.

I am traumatized, my friends and neighbours laugh at me, I cannot walk freely, I have no one to speak for me, and they are putting pressure on my parents to forgive them.

I am the victim and not my parents. They are using emotions to beg my parents because they are voiceless, I beg for a voice to speak for me!

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Please sir, I beg you to use your good office and prevail on the government to ensure that justice is done!

The rapists want to use their connections and stop the case from getting public attention.

I want the whole world to hear so that other innocent girls may not fall victims to these randy Muslim boys.  Thank you sir in anticipation.

Yours in Christ, Linda, Kaduna state.

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