Genital Mutilation: Jama’are Council Disowns Funds’ Drive For 6-Year Old Victim
Says Bauchi Govt bankrolling medical bills, other needs
To demolish criminal hideouts, arrest herbalists engage in rituals
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Chairman of Jama’are Local Government Area in Bauchi State, Samaila Jarma has distanced the Council from ongoing media messages soliciting financial assistance for the six-year-old victim of genital mutilation currently receiving treatment at the Malam Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital in Kano.
Samaila was reacting to insinuations that the Council is spearheading campaigns seeking public financial support for the victim.
Dissociating the Council from so-called funds drive, Samaila said: “To our surprise, we heard in the media that some people are calling for financial assistance for the girl. This is fraudulent because neither the parents nor anyone from Bauchi state is involved in that.
“We have alerted all security agencies and the culprits will soon be apprehended. For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has taken responsibility for the medical bills. The government has already deposited the sum of N1 million to commence her treatment, and more funds will be released on demand by the team of medical professionals working on her.”
The Chairman further said; “As a Council, we have supplied food items and other needs to the family which will be done continuously. Also, an amount of money has been made available to them to take care of their transportation to and from Kano to visit her regularly.”
Samaila also stated that; “As of today, confirmed reports have it that she is responding to treatment while in the next few days, the major surgery will be carried out on her.
“I can comfortably tell you that the little girl is stable and doing well, people have been calling to speak to her on the phone.”
The chairman said the Council will not hesitate to undertake immediate demolition of Gidan Zana and other places identified as hideouts of for criminals and bad elements in the society.
Furthermore, he ordered for immediate arrest of any herbalist involved in delivering ritual services to people, especially jobless youths who are in a hurry for quick money without engaging in anything meaningful.
Speaking with Forefront in Bauchi, the Council boss said the strict measures are being put in place to checkmate widespread cases of criminal activities in the area, especially those engaging in rituals for get-rich quickly practice.
According to him, the Council has given security operatives marching order to arrest and prosecute anyone linked to criminal activities in the area, particularly in relations to violence against vulnerable people for the purpose of rituals.
Samaila assured that the Council is all out to rid the area of crimes and criminality, stressing that all criminal elements will be fished out and prosecuted in line with relevant laws of the land.
