Teenage Bride Mutilated By Community Barber Because She Refused To Have Sex With Her Husband

Kaltume Ibrahim Mai-Kaji and Aminu Ali were reportedly dating for a long time before they got married in 2013, when Kaltume was just 15 years old. Her young husband, Ali, was left confused as his new bride never allowed him to touch her sexually. The young man sought help from his wife’s parents and his parents too, all who told him to simply exercise patience and give his new wife time to adjust to her new environment and status.

Daily Trust reports that after unsuccessful attempts, he again sought help from his father-in-law, Mallam Ibrahim Mai-Kaji, believing that he would find a lasting solution. Mai-Kaji, asked his son-in-law to send Kaltume back home. Many herbal medicines were administered on her, but there was no evident improvement.

Finally, her father invited one Mallam Shu’aibu Wanzam, who is a local barber from Agaji village, to circumcise Kultume, thinking that this might solve her unwillingness to have sex. In the process of circumcision, the barber removed a portion of her private part, making it impossible for her to pass urine normally. Kaltume, who is now 19 years old currently urinates through a tube that was carefully strapped above her sex organ that is completely damaged.

Speaking to reporters, Kaltume’s father said he invited Shu’aibu Wanzam to see if the problem was related to his job, as other herbal solutions had failed them:

“I told him to treat her if he could or we would try another means of solving the problem. After he checked her, Wanzam said he could treat her and I gave him the go-ahead. I did that to save my daughter’s marriage because my son-in-law had been to several places searching for solution. Wanzam and his friend came to my house and did their work, but unfortunately, since then, the girl has been unable to urinate through the normal process. It is now three years and some months. We have been to Doguwa Hospital and the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), but there has not been any improvement. A tube was attached to her urinary tract, which is being changed every two weeks. We visit Doguwa Hospital every two weeks to replace the tube. Because of her condition I have not been able to sleep. My wish is to see my daughter out of her present condition. I am seriously worried about her situation. I feel very sad whenever I see her in that condition. But I will continue to pray for her. I do not have many children and don’t know what to do,’’ he said.

He also told reporters that he did not force his daughter into marriage, that she chose her husband herself as she was fond of him much earlier before the proposal of marriage was made. Reports were also made that the Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi ll, summoned the affected family to his palace after he got wind of the story. When Kaltume’s ordeal was narrated to him, the emir wept and cursed those who contributed to her condition.

“I will not allow this barbaric practice to continue in Kano under my watch. Any traditional ruler who allows this to happen in his area will lose his title and anybody who contributed to it would be punished accordingly. I have directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest Wanzam and whoever had a hand in this heinous crime. They will be punished. If the commissioner fails to do something, I will personally petition the Inspector-General of Police on this matter. I will follow Kaltume’s case to its logical conclusion. I will not let this matter to be carpeted,” the Emir warned.