Typically, sexually attacked children survivors are reluctant to come forward because they fear being mocked in public.
Yet, such is not the case for 15-year-old Binta Isa, a deaf and dumb girl who is accused of being raped by two powerful young boys in the Kyena community of the Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Although she had to tell her pathetic story with the aid of an interpreter, the pains in her narration was nonetheless as clear as crystal.
“I have difficulty getting enough rest since the incident occurred on March 2, 2023,” she said.
“I sleep and wake up drenched in sweat, even when it’s cold.
“I consistently experience nightmares,” she added amid tears as she curled up on a seat at the headquarters of the Nasarawa State Police Command, Shandam Road, Lafia.
Binta, a beautiful girl suffering from hearing and speaking impairment, attends Adult Special School, Kyena, Obi Local Government, Nasarawa State, situated a few kilometres from her home.
A few days ago, she was lured and raped by two heartless young boys on her way to her mother’s farm, not too far from the house.
According to her, “They lured me into their apartment with deceit, saying that they wanted to show me something interesting.
“Because they are familiar with me, I didn’t think that they could act in that way.
“They use force on me, using a cloth to cover my mouth after which they took turns to have carnal knowledge of me.
“When I got into their room, it dawned on me that these guys were planning something bad for me.
“My bid to go out was resisted by them. They force me on the bed and forcibly pulled off my clothes, and despite my efforts to beg them, they viciously carried out their evil plan on me.
“I tried very hard to beg them, but since I cannot talk properly, my pleas fell on deaf ears.
“They took turns to penetrate me while I was in pain. I almost died because I was bleeding.”
Further explaining how she was raped by the accused persons, she said: “As soon as I entered their room, one of them, Hashimu, carried and put me on his lap, caressed my breasts, and force his finger into my private parts.
“Penetrating my innerwear, he dipped his finger inside my private part, rubbed my breasts, and forcefully pulled off my clothes.
“I screamed and cried for help but he covered my mouth and threatened to kill me if I ever told anyone. He forced his fingers too deep and the pain was really unbearable.
“I cried and struggled to escape but his grip was too strong. It was actually uncomfortable and suffocating, but they didn’t care.
“They later dragged me to the bed and took turns to penetrate me at different times and turns. They sexually molested me.”
Binta said she had been emotionally wrecked since the sexual molestation carried out on her by the two boys, and she feels scarred especially carrying a festering wound allegedly inflicted on her.
She regrets that her chastity was stolen and shattered by the two evil boys.
She said: “I have been suffering from insomnia (lack of sleep) since then as images of the abuse kept flashing through my mind, the pains I was going through while they were attempting to forcefully penetrate me, my efforts to shout to no avail.
“I had a troubled experience at the hands of the two boys and I lost my chastity. It is killing.
“The experience weighed down my spirit. I am shattered,” she said, bursting into tears.
Binta continued: “Seeing them at the police station, I felt dirty and useless. I thought about purity and chastity which I’m unworthy of.
“They have made my life miserable due to the horrible things they did to me. Seeing them again reopened my wounds.”
The distraught teenager said she was so shattered by the experience that she was contemplating suicide.
Her violators, Aminu Hashimu (24) and Lukman Dogara (18) had laid an ambush and lured her to their residence at Okpe Street in Obi community and forced their way into her, taking advantage of her disabilities.
Speaking to our correspondent, they both pleaded for forgiveness, saying: “We only raped her for three minutes each. We did one round each using two minutes.
“We have been admiring her and we did that to satisfy our sexual urge. We are so sorry for what happened,” Aminu said.
Binta’s father, Mallam Isa, a farmer and truck driver, was not at home when the incident occurred.
He told our correspondent that “Binta is my second daughter. Since she was born, she has suffered from speech impairment.
“I didn’t know what to do. But since she is my daughter, I felt I should give her the care and attention she needs as a father
“It is quite unfortunate that this happened. I won’t take it lightly with the boys. Even as a farmer, I will do my best to ensure I get justice.”
Mallam Isa said he could not imagine that some people could be so wicked or could think of taking advantage of her daughter’s condition to perpetuate such an evil act.
He appealed to the police and other security agencies to apprehend the suspects and get them to face the law.
The mother, Sa-adatu, said the suspects are wicked souls meant for hell. According to her, she sent for Binta to join them on the farm:
“When I discovered that she didn’t come at the time I was expecting her, I decided to walk back to the house. The farm is not too far away from the house.
“While I was walking home, along the path, I heard a muffled cry from the direction of the boys’ residence. I knew on impulse that it was my daughter’s voice.
“I dashed straight to the door of the building and forced it open. Behold, it was my daughter lying down, already fainting.
“I shouted for help. The boys ran away, fleeing the structure in a jiffy. I called out to the people around to help take her to the hospital.
“I rushed to the police station to lodge a complaint, leading to their arrest.”
The mother demanded nothing but prompt justice, saying: “The injury of the rape will haunt my daughter for the rest of her life. It has put her through a traumatic experience.
“We want justice because my daughter is deeply in pain and undergoing psychological trauma, which has dogged her path daily since the incident
“All we want is justice, one that may give her an ounce of closure in the long run.
“My daughter’s encounter with the two boys will heavily take a toll on her growing up, educationally, physically, mentally, and emotionally.”
She described the two boys’ action as horrendous and abominable acts against the hapless young girl.
The Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Care and Development in Nigeria (CCDN), a non-governmental organisation, Blessing Tulari, said Binta’s case highlighted the growing incidents of rape in the state.
She said: “Justice must prevail for Binta Isa and for countless other victims of rape in the state.
“The government must take action to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions and victims receive the support and justice they deserve.”
The Nasarawa State Police Command, in a statement by the command PPRO DSP Rahman Nansel, said “On 2/3/2023 at about 1830 hrs, a complaint was lodged at Obi Division that one Aminu Hashimu 24 years of age, and Lukman Dogara 18 years both males of Owolosho Street, Obi LGA of Nasarawa State criminally conspired and raped a teenager of 15 years”
“Upon receipt of the report, an investigation and manhunt were launched by police operatives attached to Obi Division for the suspects.
“Consequently, on 3/3/2023, the aforementioned suspects were arrested at different locations in Obi town and Lafia, respectively”
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects lured the victim who had hearing impairment to their residence at Okpe Street, Obi, and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her. The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime.
“The victim has been taken to the hospital for medical examination and the Commissioner of Police, CP Maiyaki Baba, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the case; upon conclusion, the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution,” the statement concluded.
Information gathered from medical experts explains that victims of rape experience moderate to severe post-traumatic stress disorder and have a hard time overcoming it.
Their condition typically takes the form of nightmares, flashbacks, anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, feelings of guilt, eating disorder, and shame that can surface immediately or years after.
Psychology experts have equally averred that long after sexual defilements and abuses might have been committed, victims face gradually slipping into mental health challenges that impact negatively on society at large.
Further research shows post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD which is a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event, either by experiencing or witnessing it.
Section 31 of the child rights act of 2003, which has been domesticated in 28 states including Nasarawa State, criminalises sexual abuse and prescribes a jail term of 14 years for anyone convicted.
