15-Year-Old Girl Commits Suicide After Mum Blames Her For Being Gang-raped

A 15-year-old girl, Comfort Uche-Ume, committed suicide after she was allegedly ganged-raped by three boys who are now on the run; Ndubuisi Wogu, Chinaza Ufomadu, and Francis Onwoboro, in Abia State.

The deceased is said to be a JSS 3 student who had just finished writing the “Junior WEAC” exam.

Confirming the incident, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ezekiel Onyeke, told Southern City News that the victim who until her death resided at Iyienyi village with her parents, had gone in the company of her sister who was married at Okwoyi, a neighbouring village, to see her (sister’s) husband.

He said that as evening approached, the deceased opted to return home to remove the clothes they spread outside to save them from getting wet from the threatening rain.

Another source said the deceased decided to return home because she was with the key to their house so that the parents who travelled would not be stranded upon their return.

The PPRO said that as the deceased was trekking back to Iyienyi village alone, she was allegedly accosted by Nwogu, who had been making unsuccessful advances at her.

He said Nwogu, assisted by two other accomplices, dragged the victim to a nearby bush where they gang-raped her, threatening to kill her if she raised any alarm.

Police said that when the sister of the deceased returned home, she met her crying and after enquiries, Comfort narrated her ordeal to her.

Irked by the sexual assault on her sister, she was said to have informed her husband, who quickly rushed to confront one of the suspects and engaged him in a free-for-all.

According to the police, the victim was later brought to Umuahia Central Police Station around 9pm by her parents to officially report the matter.

Onyeke said after lodging the complaint, the police first decided to take the victim to the police clinic for examination and medical attention.

He said after she was examined, the police wanted to take her statement, but the parents pleaded that they should be allowed to take her home, promising to return the next morning since it was getting late.

He continued, “But instead of returning as they promised, the parents never showed up. The mother of the deceased rather decided to scold her over the incident. The mother mismanaged the situation. She said to her ‘Have I not warned you not to go to Okwoyi village alone? Now three men have raped you and if you become pregnant, who will be the father of the baby?’ On Tuesday morning, the mother of the victim allegedly went to her room again and started talking to her. She later invited her for the family’s morning devotion, but she declined.”

Onyeke said when the family began to hold their morning devotion about 20 minutes later, a shout was heard outside the house and the family members rushed out.

According to him, the initial thinking of family members was that the rapists had come to attack her again. But that was not to be as they were shocked to their marrows to see the lifeless body of their daughter, who was reportedly seen dangling on a guava tree beside their house.

Police said the deceased might have decided to take her life out of frustration and possible stigmatisation.

The PPRO, therefore, advised parents and guardians to exercise caution when “they manage sensitive situations that might come their way, especially the ones affecting their children or wards.”

He said, “Parents should avoid stigmatising their children, but treat them with love anytime such unfortunate situation comes up.”

Source: Punch