Are women in Nigeria safe?

Women have continued to become endangered species in Nigeria when it comes to romantic relationships. Several women and girls have been killed by their male lovers for ritual purposes and other forms of violence. 

Interestingly, these victims are blamed or accused of chasing after the perpetrators for wealth and fame among other accusations. 

Recently, Okoligwe Damian, a 400-level student of Petrochemical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt was arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Justina Nkang.

The 20-year-old victim was also a 300-level student of Biochemistry in the same university. She was reported missing four days prior to the arrest of her boyfriend who had killed her and took some vital parts of the body for suspected ritual purposes. 

According to some reports available online, the state Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, said an unidentified neighbour called the attention of the police when he observed a foul smell coming from Damian’s apartment and upon arrival, the door was forced opened and the dismembered body of the victim was found in a bag.  

Other reports said Damian was intercepted by vigilante group in his area, along NTA Road, Ozuoba while he was trying to dispose off of her remains in a refuse dump. 

Damian claimed that he found her dead in the bed room where she slept alone while he slept in the living room the following morning. He told newsmen that he was scared of being arrested for her death hence he did not report to the police. 

Justina’s case is one of the many cases that barely made it to the internet however, the reaction to her gruesome murder is appalling to say the least. 

Some men have come to publicly express their satisfaction over the act Damian had committed. No one, for whatever reason deserves to be gruesomely murdered by anyone, not even someone who claims love and protect her.

These kind of men or anyone who share same believe with Damian does not deserve to live among humans. How do we leave people with comments like this live among us? 

Kosi Ugo wrote on his Facebook page that: “Every time a girl is killed by her yahoo boyfriend and it makes round on social media, there’s this unexplainable joy I feel in my heart that money cannot buy.

“I always feel like looking for the boy to shake his hand and thank him for a job well done.” 

One Chukwudum Ejimkonye wrote that, “This is just the beginning of what you women are seeing, make una face reality and stop following men and female friends you don’t know their source of wealth. I don’t feel pity for her because na her gold digger life put her for this mess wey kpai her. Women make una get small work una dey do even if na 1k una dey get everyday it’s good, save 1k in a year and find something doing.”

How are we living with people with such mindsets in the society allowing them walk freely?

It is interesting how so much is talked about the woman/girl involved who is also a victim and nothing is said about the man who is the perpetrator. 

More concerted efforts by government and all related agencies must be put in place to protect women and girls from becoming victims. The judiciary must be seen and heard actively. No one must sit on the fence to bring justice to these victims and protect young girls from harm. 

Capital punishment should be given to perpetrators like Damian with a blink of an eye to serve as deterrent to those who would want to tow that path in the future. 

May the soul of Justina and many women and girls reported and unreported rest in peace.