Niger State is grappling with horror after a four-year-old girl was raped and abandoned in a refuse dump in Kontagora, with medical reports confirming multiple violations that required emergency surgery in Sokoto.
The victim's father, Hudsaine Abubakar (name changed), recounted to Arewa PUNCH how the assailant snatched the child as the family slept outside their home during a heatwave in April. "We searched for hours before a neighbor found her in a dump site with blood stains," the traumatized parent revealed.
Medical reports from Kontagora General Hospital showed such severe injuries that doctors immediately referred the child to Sokoto for specialized care. "Her organs were protruding," confirmed Mary Yisa of Niger State's Ministry of Women Affairs. The state government covered all treatment costs for the two-week hospitalization.
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The case has sparked outrage across Nigeria, with women's rights groups demanding swift justice. Niger State Police Command confirms an active manhunt for the perpetrator, though no arrests have been made public.
Dr. Fati Muhammad, the lead physician, disclosed that the victim will require additional surgeries. "The damage was extensive. We're monitoring her for infections and psychological trauma," she told reporters. A child psychologist has been assigned to the case.
This incident highlights the dangers families face from both criminals and extreme weather. Many northern Nigerian households sleep outdoors during heatwaves, making children vulnerable. The victim's family had recently relocated to Kontagora fleeing bandit attacks in their hometown.
Niger State's Commissioner for Women Affairs has ordered increased night patrols and launched community awareness programs about child safety. "We're working with traditional rulers to prevent such atrocities," the commissioner stated.
The case has reignited debates about Nigeria's sexual violence epidemic. Latest NBS data shows over 2,000 child rape cases reported annually, with experts believing most go unreported. Women's rights activists are planning protests to demand stronger protections.
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