By Sabiu Abdullahi
A University of Maiduguri (UniMaid) student, Saleem Ibrahim, has been arrested for assaulting a 21-year-old woman, Hauwa Abatcha Ngala, after she rejected his love proposal.
Saleem’s attack on Ngala which left her with a serious head injury, has sparked outrage and calls for justice.
Reports say Ibrahim’s assault on the victim was not an isolated incident for he had reportedly been harassing her for some time before the attack.
It was said that there was a time when he told her openly that she either accept his proposal or suffer the most gruesome consequences.
“I can even kill you, and nothing will happen,” Saleem reportedly warned her.
Despite his arrest twice, Ibrahim was released both times, allegedly due to intervention by influential people.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the attack and demanded that Ibrahim be charged.
The NHRC’s intervention highlights the concern that the case may not be handled appropriately without outside pressure.
Condemning the senseless attack on the victim, Jummai Mshelia, the Borno Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), demanded that the suspect be charged in court to serve as a deterrent to other perpetrators.
“We, at human right, immediately the incident happened, the commission file a formal complaint to the Commisioner of Police who ordered the immediate arrest of the suspect. We commend the police for the quick response.
“We are told that the case has been written to the Ministry of Justice Department of Public Prosecution for their advice. While we await the response of the department, we want to assure the general public that the case would follow up the case untill justice is served.” She said.
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