Family Flees Nigeria to Protect Daughter from Genital Mutilation
Mr. Ibrahim expressed his awareness of the health risks, psychological implications, and trauma associated with FGM, which led him to reject this harmful practice that violates a girl child’s rights
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Musa Ibrahim, residing in the Egbeda area of Ibadan, Oyo State, has fled Nigeria due to fears that their daughters would be subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) and threats to their lives from certain elders in the extended family.
Led by Chief Salawu Olaosebikan, the family elders insisted that it was mandatory for a girl child to undergo this procedure as per their family tradition. This ongoing conflict, which began in 2023, has created tension within the extended family, prompting Mr. Ibrahim to file a complaint with the police at the Majawe Divisional Station in Ibadan.
In the complaint document obtained by newsheadline247, Mr. Ibrahim alleged that Chief Salawu Olaosebikan and other clan elders had threatened his life and that of his wife, Khadijat Aina Ibrahim, for their refusal to allow their first daughter, Maryam Opeyemi Ibrahim, to be circumcised according to family customs.
Mr. Ibrahim expressed his awareness of the health risks, psychological implications, and trauma associated with FGM, which led him to reject this harmful practice that violates a girl child’s rights.
He also conveyed his concerns about threats to his family’s safety due to their opposition to the extended family’s pressure. As a result, he reported that the family had turned against him and issued threats against their lives.
Following this complaint, the Majawe Police Division began an investigation into the matter.
On January 15, 2024, Mr. Ibrahim alleged that Chief Olaosebikan, along with other family elders, attempted to kidnap Maryam to carry out FGM. This attempt was thwarted by a neighbor who alerted Mr. Ibrahim and his wife. He expressed his fears of potential harm from his extended family members.
For their safety, Mrs. Khadijat Aina Ibrahim, her husband Musa Adebayo Ibrahim, their daughter Maryam Opeyemi Ibrahim, and their sons Abdulmalik Adesola Ibrahim, Abdulrahman Taiwo Ibrahim, and Abdulroheem Kehinde Ibrahim fled Nigeria in May 2024. The family is currently in an undisclosed location outside of Nigeria to protect their daughter from what they describe as a “threat to her life.”
What You Should Know About Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice has no health benefits for girls and women and cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.
The practice of FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against girls and women. Traditional practitioners nearly always carry it out on minors and is a violation of the rights of children.
The practice also violates a person’s rights to health, security and physical integrity; the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and the right to life, in instances when the procedure results in death.
In several settings, there is evidence suggesting greater involvement of healthcare providers in performing FGM due to the belief that the procedure is safer when medicalized. WHO strongly urges healthcare providers not to perform FGM and has developed a global strategy and specific materials to support healthcare providers against medicalization.
According to World Health Organisation, More than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is practiced. Read More
