Insecurities, more girls at risk!

Two days ago in Nigeria, we were rudely woken up to the story of Hanifa , a five year old, only child to her parents, who was killed by her school teacher. Yes , you heard that right. Her class teacher who is saddled with giving  this little one education to empower her to be a world changer.

One who was helping her flap her wings as she navigate to find her very place in life.

He had kidnapped her on her way home from school and taken her to his own wife, who refused to keep the girl, so he took her to the school where he kept her and demanded ransome from her parents. Her family paid part of the random and begged for more time.

He fed her rat poison, cut her into parts after she died, put the pieces into a bag and buried in a shallow grave.

He continued to make demands for more of the ransome from her parents after her death. Until he was caught few days ago. He kept her for 46 days in captivity.

As if we hadn't had enough, the news of Asmau hit the waves. A seven year old girl, killed by a neighbor,  a man aquatinted with her father.

The two culprits are in custody now. But the issues leave a distaste in my mouth. The two cases happened in Northern Nigeria, a part where girls are still facing many challenges like early marriage, female Genital Mutilation, lack of access to education, child labor etc.

Hanifa and Asmau are school girls.

Bright pupils perhaps. They were going to be models of girls who thrived despite odds. They would have grown to be change agents .

But no, there lives were cut short by circumstances which they had no control over. They were oblivious of failed systems and insecurities that they have been plunged into.

Many people have cashed into the insecurities and kidnappings seems to be a profitable venture. 

I blame the Government for not stemming the tide of insecurities in the country. For not being responsible enough to create enabling environment for it's citizenry to be productive, thus their taking up arms. Banditary and kidnappings are the twins children of our failed institutions. These days the killings do not make headlines. We gradually are getting immuned against the feelings that made us humans. 

I am angry at people who have kidnapped children and adults.  The kidnappers have families and come from families. How did they loose their humanity?

I guess families too have lost it. We have set the bars of " success" so high that quick fixes are now normal, even at the cost of another's life.

No one seems to be secure but moreso the girl child. 

In the north where educating the girl is not given priority, with the recent happenings, we hope many parents will not be alarmed and reconsider sending their girls to school.

These recent happenings calls for action from the justice   systems to ensure that the perpetrators are dealt with according to the law. It is common around the north to have out of court settlements over issues. Severe punishment for such acts will deter others.

School owners and management should work on modalities to ensure safety for the pupils. CCTV cameras can go a long way to help.

Parents must ensure they teach their children security tips. And  do all in their ability to protect them. 

I can't begin to imagine the agony Hanifa and Asmau 's parents and friends are going through, but we hope the death of these two will make all to stand up to our responsibilities to humanity.

The good in us can conquer evil anyday!  We keep moving, undaunted.

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