Genital Mutilation: Succour For 6 Year-old Girl

• Bauchi Govt handles medical bills, deposits N1m for treatment

Bauchi State Government delegation led by Nuhu Zaki visits victim’s family

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Succour has come for a 6-year-old girl whose genital was mutilated for suspected ritual purposes by a 20 year-old young man in Jama’are Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Thanks to the intervention of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Bauchi State government has undertaken to write off the victim’s medical bill.

the Governor gave the cheering news through his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abdulrazaq Nuhu Zaki while condemning the incident as “inhuman and barbaric”.

Speaking when he led a high powered delegation to sympathize with the family of the child in Jama’are, the Commissioner described the ugly incident as not only unfortunate but also unacceptable to the government and people of Bauchi state.

He assured by the governor’s directives, everything possible would be done to ensure the victim fully recovers even as the culprit is made to pay for his crime.

Zaki, who donated food items and cash to the victim’s immediate family, said; “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed is deeply touched by this harmful act and we are here on his behalf to sympathize with the parents and to assure them that government will take care of her treatment.”

“The administration of Governor Bala Mohammed will take full care of the treatment because our Governor was so much concerned about the welfare and wellbeing of less privileged people”, he added.

The Commissioner vowed that government will take serious action against the perpetrators of the violent act to serve as deterrent to others and called on youth in the State to desist from such destructive acts for the betterment of society.

Also speaking during the visit, Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development, Hajara Gidado, who delivered a message from the State’s first lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, said she has already constituted a high powered judicial panel to serve as a legal body to handle the victim’s case.

On his part, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Aliyu Maigoro disclosed that the victim required plastic surgery for her quick recovery and survival.

In their reaction, the victim’s family expressed gratitude to the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed for its kind gesture and quick intervention on the matter.

Also at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital where the victim is currently receiving medical treatment, Zaki, as leader of the government’s delegation, made a cash donation of one million Naira with the pledge that government will take full responsibility of the treatment until girl’s recovers fully.

Dr Mahmud Kawu Magashi who briefed the delegation on the current condition of the victim, said team of Doctors is already working round the clock to ensure the victim’s health is not further endangered.

A statement by Muktar Gidado, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Bala Mohammed, also confirmed that the girl is currently receiving the necessary medical treatment as directed by the governor.

Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed arresting and having in its custody the 20-year-old youngster who allegedly mutilated the girl’s genitals for suspected ritual purposes.