According to the father of a 14-year-old girl, Mal. Isiyaku Tanko, his daughter was kidnapped from her school, Government Senior Secondary School, Kudun Kankara, Kastina State, on the 16th of August 2016, by one Jamilu Lawal and was forcefully converted to Islam by her kidnapper.
The girl’s father also alleged that after his daughter was abducted and converted to Islam, her abductor informed the Emir of Kastina, Abdulmumini Usman, that he will be marrying the teenager and also gave him N50,000 as dowry.
Presenting his case at Stefanos Foundation press conference in Abuja, Mal. Tanko said the Emir had informed him that he will marry Habiba off to Jamilu in accordance with Islamic rites and injunctions.
Here’s what he said;
“The Emir informed me that my daughter has been converted to Islam, henceforth, there is no longer any relationship between me and her and we can no longer inherit each other, as he is now her father.Programme Coordinator for Stafanos Foundation, Mark Lipdo, a Non-Governmental Organization assisting the parents with the release of Habiba, stated that
He accused me of defaming him at the Police Station and I was threatened, intimidated and coerced to sign an apology drafted on my behalf in his Palace. It fills me with so much pain and grief to realize that my daughter, who will turn 15 this Saturday the 15th, may be celebrating her birthday in a forced marriage.
I appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians and those in authority to help me. I further appeal that the Incident be well investigated and diligently prosecuted.”
“We have been trying to intervene in the conflicts going on in Nigeria, we believe in the human rights of all citizens and encourage that fundamental rights be upheld at all times to maintain a sane society.
“Many times we call on the appropriate authorities to act like in the case of Habiba Isiyaku; such incidents can make conflicts continue in Nigeria.
“Habiba is a girl that just completed her Junior Secondary school and had very good grades, she had so much prospects only to be abducted.
“When her parents were invited to the Emirs palace, she was brought out in a hijab and he told them that they no longer have any relationship with the girl anymore because she has been converted to Islam and that the Emir of Katsina has now become the father of the girl and he can do whatever he wants with her.
We followed with the Commissioner of Police to try to get the girl, we took a lawyer with us to demand for their rights but the rights where denied, we petitioned the IG of Police, but till date, he is yet to respond.”
Daily Post
0 Comments