Man arrested for assaulting schoolgirl over mango theft in Maiduguri

Maiduguri, Nigeria – Authorities arrested Mamman Shettima Baba for violently assaulting a schoolgirl accused of stealing mangoes from his Pompomari compound.

A viral video shows Baba whipping the child with a stick while his wife filmed, urging further brutality.

Eyewitnesses report the girl and friends entered Baba’s open compound, drawn by a mango tree. Almajiri children caught her, delivering her to Baba’s wife, who allegedly demanded punishment.

Following online outrage, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) swiftly detained Baba. Commandant Abdulrazaq Haroon confirmed Baba admitted guilt, claiming repeated student trespassing justified his actions.

Legal experts and activists condemned the assault, demanding accountability. Lawyer Hamza Nuhu Dantani filed a petition charging Baba with culpable homicide, assault, and intimidation.

Dantani’s petition also cites violations of Borno’s 2023 Penal Code, accusing Baba of attempted homicide. It urges probes into accomplices and demands medical care for the traumatized girl.

Meanwhile, Borno’s Education Commissioner Lawan Abbah Wakilbe praised NSCDC’s rapid response, vowing justice. Similarly, the Justice Commissioner pledged thorough investigations and prosecutions.

However, advocates highlight systemic impunity in child abuse cases. Past offenders often evade consequences due to political ties or victims’ fear of stigma.

Activists argue this case tests Borno’s commitment to child rights. “Accountability here could deter future abuses,” said a local NGO director, requesting anonymity.

Residents describe recurring tensions over resources. “Children starve while mangoes rot unused,” noted Pompomari elder Musa Abba. “Poverty fuels these clashes.”

As scrutiny intensifies, officials face pressure to reform response protocols. Community leaders urge dialogue between homeowners and youth to prevent violence.

The victim’s family remains silent, fearing backlash. Neighbors confirm she returned home bruised but received no formal counseling.

Globally, child rights groups amplify calls for Nigeria to enforce protection laws. UNICEF’s Nigeria office emphasized, “No child deserves violence for survival.”

Locally, protests erupted outside Baba’s compound, with crowds chanting, “Justice for our daughter!” Social media campaigns demand systemic changes.

While investigations continue, analysts stress transparency’s importance. “Public trust hinges on fair trials,” said legal scholar Aisha Mohammed.

Borno’s government now faces dual challenges: delivering justice and addressing root causes—poverty, education gaps, and weak child safeguards.

The wife who filmed the video and ordering her husband to beat up the school girl has also been arrested as an accomplice.

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