Man, wife brutally assault two girls

DDM News

In Pompomari, Maiduguri, Borno State, a shocking case of child abuse has triggered widespread public outrage and condemnation.

Two sisters, 13-year-old Hajara and 11-year-old Hauwa, were brutally assaulted after plucking mangoes from a tree.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that the tree belonged to Muhammed Shettima, who caught them and reacted with extreme violence, threatening their lives.

A boy in the compound had given them permission to take mangoes before Shettima arrived and saw them.

Upon seeing them, Shettima locked the gate, pulled out a cutlass, and threatened to kill them.

His wife did not stop him but instead brought him sticks to beat the girls.

To prove his seriousness, Shettima slaughtered a chicken with the same cutlass, warning that the girls could be next.

The situation turned violent as Shettima chased them around, hitting them repeatedly with sticks.

One of the sisters lost consciousness, yet his wife insisted that the beating continue.

A passing tricycle rider, recognizing the girls, intervened and took them home in a semi-conscious state.

Their mother, Falmata Abubakar, was horrified to see her daughters bruised, battered, and barely able to stand.

She expressed her disbelief, saying they left for school healthy but returned home nearly lifeless.

The girls initially received treatment at a local clinic before being moved to a hospital.

They were later admitted to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for further medical attention.

With limited financial resources, the family relied on relatives for medical bills before help arrived.

When a video of the brutal beating surfaced online, public outrage erupted across the country.

The footage showed Shettima whipping the defenseless girls while his wife urged him to continue.

Civil society groups, activists, and concerned citizens immediately demanded legal action.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), alongside local authorities, swiftly arrested Shettima and his wife.

They were taken into custody at the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Maiduguri.

The Borno State government strongly condemned the attack and vowed to ensure justice for the victims.

Attorney-General Hauwa Abubakar assured Nigerians that Shettima and his wife would face prosecution.

The Ministries of Women Affairs, Social Development, and Education offered additional support to the family.

Advocacy groups, including Women in the New Nigeria and Youth Empowerment Initiative (WINN), condemned the attack.

WINN Director Lucy Dlama Yunana described the incident as a grave violation of children’s rights.

She emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution protects children from cruel and inhumane treatment.

Law enforcement agencies have promised a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served.

Shettima and his wife are expected to face charges under the Child Protection Law and the Borno State Penal Code.

The nation watches closely, awaiting justice for two young girls who suffered unimaginable cruelty over a few mangoes.

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