Silent agony: Deep scars left by randy fathers who rape, impregnate helpless daughters
Girls raped and impregnated by their fathers are left to battle trauma, shame and stigma from society. The offspring from this unholy union face even worse, GODFREY GEORGE writes
Getting 47-year-old Mrs Elfreda (surname withheld) to share her experience was like getting blood from a stone. Her only daughter, 17-year-old Magdalene, who, at the time, was still in secondary school, was impregnated by her father, whom she identified only as Mr Friday (surname withheld).
After several failed attempts in January 2023 when news of her daughter’s pregnancy broke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the woman was said to have fled the area.
Her sister, Ilanye, who reported the case to the police, told our correspondent that she was asked to withdraw the case so that the ‘elders’ would ‘take a look at it’.
“When my sister called me in 2021 that Magdalene, who was just 14 years old then, was pregnant, I didn’t know it was for my brother-in-law, Friday. She didn’t tell me the real facts of the matter until the pregnancy was three months gone.
“If I knew early, I wouldn’t have let it stay at all. Never!” Ilanye said, her voice, echoing deep anger.
She said she rushed back from Imo State where she is based with her family to Port Harcourt and took the matter to the police station.
When the police officers called Mrs Elfreda, she declined to come and asked that the case be closed. Frustrated after several attempts, the matter was closed after a few weeks.
Ilanye made a post sharing her regrets and confusion on a Facebook platform, Lifers, but she did that anonymously. Through the help of one of the administrators of the pages, our correspondent was able to get through to Ilanye who was more than willing to speak. This was in 2023, two years after the incident happened.
But, there was a problem – Elfreda did not want to talk about it. Ilanye said she had left Nigeria for Benin Republic with her daughter who had the child there and they had lived there ever since.
After several months and several failed attempts, she reached out to this reporter to say that she was willing to talk.
It took another two months for an interview to be scheduled, as she developed cold feet days into the first agreed interview date, February 12, 2024.
However, on April 17, Ilanye reached out to this reporter to say that young Magdalene’s child was sick. Thirteen days later, the young lad died.
When contacted on Thursday, June 13, 2024, Elfreda, to our correspondent’s surprise, decided to speak.
Sharing her grief, the distraught woman said she did everything to save the young lad but he could not make it.
“He had always been sick since he was born. It (his death) was imminent,” the woman, who disclosed that she abandoned her teaching job and left with her daughter for Benin Republic, said.
Asked when she found out about the defilement, she said her daughter told her it happened only once on a Friday night when she (Elfreda) went for a church vigil.
“Magdalene said her father climbed on her and defiled her. She showed me proof. I confronted my husband that very morning when I came back and he did not say a word. By the time I came back from where I went to report him, he was nowhere to be found.
“Till I left in July or August of 2021, I never set eyes on that man. That is why I refused to report the matter to the police or even make it a big deal.
“My child then was not even done with Secondary school, and she was our only child. We waited six years to have her. It still breaks my heart that her own father could do that to her,” she said.
On how she found out the daughter was pregnant, the woman said she had tested the girl a few days after the incident and the doctors claimed to have ‘flushed out everything’.
“After a few weeks, she complained of being sick and feeling feverish. We took her to the hospital and treated malaria and all, but nothing. It was one of my church sisters who I confided in when the matter happened that told me I should do a pregnancy test. I struggled with it for more than two months when my daughter who had only started seeing her period the previous year said she did not see it for two months.
“My fears were confirmed when the doctors said it was almost three months gone or so. It was then I called my sister, Ilanye. I didn’t know what to do. I thought I could take it out, but I was scared. The girl was only 14 years old. She is 17 now. She is still not an adult. Whenever I think of it, I feel like I failed this girl. I failed her,” the woman said, fighting back tears.
Asked to know how Magdalene was taking the compounded jeopardy of being defiled and impregnated by her father and also losing the child she bore for him, Elfreda said she had not been the same since then.
“I don’t know where to start, but Magdalene has not remained the same since the day the matter began. And the man who did this is a pastor. Or, will I say that he claimed to be a pastor? That night of the incident, he refused to join us because it was a gathering of the women’s group, so he didn’t really need to be there. I am not sure my life will ever remain the same.
“I have decided not to look for him or to seek justice. My daughter has begged me to protect her and not return to Nigeria, so I would want to stay here for now. Even my family members will be shocked. It was only my sister, Ilanye, who I told about this and told her to keep it secret which was why I was angry when she went to report to the police.
“I was a Vice Principal (Academics) in the school I taught. My mother, till her death, was a church elder. My father was a retired principal. How can I face the world with such an ugly story?” she queried.
She refused to comment on whether Magdalene was back to school and if she had undergone any psychological reevaluation or therapy. She simply responded to both questions with, “It is well.”
Magdalene’s story captures the depth of trauma victims of incestuous rape go through whether or not justice is served.
Replaced dead wife with 14-year-old daughter
A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa recently jailed a 41-year-old man, Baridapsi Needam, to 17 years in jail for raping and impregnating his daughter. She was, like Magdalene, 14 years old.
Our correspondent gathered from several sources in the community that the victim gave birth to a baby girl while the trial was pending before the court.
Needam in the suit numbered YHC/14C/2022, was charged with rape contrary to Section 1(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Bayelsa State, 2021.
The State Prosecuting Counsel and Deputy Director in the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice, Pere Egbuson, told the court that investigations revealed that Egbuson said the accused started by inserting his fingers into the vagina of the victim until he began having sex with her in 2020 before she got pregnant in 2022.
The presiding judge, D.E Adokeme, in delivering the judgement said the prosecution led credible evidence and made reference to the DNA result which revealed a 99.99 per cent positive report that the convict is the father of the child.
Her words, “The prosecution has led credible evidence and referred to the DNA result which revealed 99.99 per cent report that Needam is the father of the child”.
The court ruled that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence of rape and sentenced him to 17 years imprisonment.
Speaking after the judgement, Egbuson noted that the judgement would serve as a deterrent to others who engage in such unimaginable acts stressing that a strong message had been sent that the court would not tolerate such heinous acts.
Egbuson said, “The judgment will serve as a deterrent to others who engage in such unimaginable acts. A strong message has been sent that the court will not tolerate such heinous acts”.
She, however, thanked the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo, for his immense support in ensuring that the DNA analysis was carried out to aid the prosecution in pursuit of justice in the case.
Also commenting on the development, an advocate against violence against women and founder of Do Foundation, Dise Harry, said the CSOs in the state are excited with the judgement of the court.
According to her, “The State Government through the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Women, Children Affairs and Social Development and the Bayelsa State Gender Response Initiative Team have done well by keeping the victim safe and the innocent baby safe too. This should sound like a warning to all paedophiles to steer clear of our children”.
Needman, who hails from Ogani Wily Kaira Community in Ogoni, Rivers State, was reported to the police by members of the state gender advocacy group, Gender Response Initiative Team in 2022, when a concerned neighbour noticed that the victim was five months pregnant amidst suspicion that the father was responsible for the pregnancy.
The convict was said to have replaced his deceased wife with his 14-year-old daughter who was in JSS3, sleeping with her on his matrimonial bed while her two younger brothers were made to sleep on the floor.
Aborted three pregnancies
On January 18, 2018, a father (name withheld), was arrested for allegedly raping his 16-year-old daughter.
In this case, the victim revealed that her father had been having carnal knowledge of her since 2014 and that she had aborted over three pregnancies in the process.
Our correspondent gathered that her father’s younger brother, who lived close to them in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, had been sleeping with her during her brief stay with him after the demise of her stepmother. She was only 12 years old then.
Her father, however, took over the baton, after she reported her ordeal to him.
Her father who was 44 years old then was said to have paid for three abortions for the young girl, but could not terminate the fourth one which the girl carried to term and birthed later on in the year.
The child, a boy, according to neighbours, is six years old now.
Not much is said about prosecution and whether the young mother and her child were made to go through any mental reevaluation or assessment during this period.
Also, in Kano, a father, in August 2017 was alleged to have impregnated his 14-year-old daughter several times.
The young girl during interrogation, revealed that she had aborted thrice for her father.
The father, speaking to the police, blamed his action on the devil. Not much is heard in the news about the young girl or the pregnancy and what has become of the newborn.
My father is responsible for pregnancy – 10 year-old
Another case that left everyone astounded was that of a 10 year-old girl who alleged that her father was responsible for her pregnancy.
Her father, Kenneth, was charged before the Ikeja Chief Magistrate Court on December 12, 2017, on a count charge of defilement.
He was alleged to have regularly abused his 10 year -old daughter at his Idimu home in the Egbeda area of Lagos.
It was said that she also threatened to kill her if she opened up to anyone. It took several weeks for the mother to notice changes in her daughter’s physique and forced her to open up to her. When she did, she took the case to the police who charged the man in court.
Although the man was sentenced, not much was said about the welfare of the child and her newborn.
Raped two daughters, impregnated one
In October 2015, the police in Benue State arraigned a 42-year-old man, Mr Thomas Akate, before a Makurdi magistrate court for allegedly impregnating his 12-year-old daughter.
The accused, Akate, who is a native of the Adi-Etulo community in the Buruku Local Government Area of the state, reportedly defiled two of his daughters and the eldest (name withheld) became pregnant.
Lagos father impregnates 13-year-old
In July 2016, a 34-year-old man, Kennedy (surname withheld), was arrested by police in Lagos for allegedly impregnating his 13-year-old daughter.
The suspect, who was said to have been sleeping with his daughter since she was in Primary 5, reportedly connived with his live-in lover, one Ijeoma, to terminate the pregnancy.
The suspect was also accused of defiling a neighbour’s 18-month-old baby, who was kept in his care.
A neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was said to have reported the matter to the police.
Father of the 18-month old who was allegedly molested by Kennedy, told policemen, “My wife discovered that our baby had a tear in her private part when she wanted to bathe her. Before then, it was only Michael that was with the baby inside his room.
“We took her to Mende Health Centre, where doctors confirmed our fears. It was while there that a neighbour informed us that he was violating his daughter as well.”
Not much is being mentioned about the progress of the case or the welfare of the victims, as several efforts to find out were futile.
There are several other cases in Lagos. There is the popular case of a 48-year-old father, Adeboye (surname withheld) who was arrested by policemen in the Zone 2 Command, Onika, for defiling and impregnating his 14-year-old.
When he spoke during the parade, he was said to have said, “Police, journalists, forgive me. I don’t know what came over me. I have been beaten thoroughly by Oodua People’s Congress boys; that is why my eyes are swollen.”
Another popular case is that of 41-year-old Raymond (surname withheld), who was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for impregnating his 15-year-old daughter, in 2016. He, blaming his action on frustration, said, “I started sleeping with my 15-year-old daughter sometime in January after I lost my job. I am a transporter but I took to alcohol after I lost my job and could not meet up with my responsibilities as the head of the house.”
Enduring betrayal
The concept of fatherhood in many cultures, including Nigeria, is one steeped in reverence and trust.
Fathers are seen as protectors, providers, and pillars of the family unit.
However, a dark and horrifying reality lurks in the shadows for some daughters who endure the ultimate betrayal: defilement by their fathers.
The survivors of these harrowing experiences face profound trauma, endure societal stigma and are left with nothing even after justice is served.
The statistics on child rape in Nigeria are alarming and reveal a persistent and serious problem.
According to Amnesty International, rape remains one of the most prevalent human rights violations in Nigeria.
In 2020, the National Human Rights Commission received 11,200 reported cases of rape, including incidents involving children.
The COVID-19 lockdown exacerbated the situation, with Nigerian police reporting 717 incidents of rape between January and May 2020 alone.
The prevalence of sexual violence against children is high, with a 2014 national survey indicating that one in four females reported experiencing sexual violence in childhood.
Moreover, according to WARIF, approximately 70 per cent of these victims reported more than one incident of sexual violence.
A women’s and child’s rights advocate, Mercy Chepaka, said the societal and systemic failures in addressing this issue include stigma, victim-blaming, and inadequate support systems for survivors cause double jeopardy for the survivors.
She said although there had been efforts to tackle the rape crisis, which included declaring a state of emergency on rape and gender-based violence in June 2020 and initiatives like the establishment of sex offenders registers, the cases still abound.
Speaking further, she said, the incidents of fathers defiling their daughters were not only heart-wrenching but also alarmingly prevalent.
She added, “In Nigeria, reports of such cases occasionally surface in the media, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse that often goes unreported due to societal taboos and stigma.
“For daughters who experience such betrayal, the psychological impact is devastating. The defilement shatters their sense of trust and safety, leading to long-lasting emotional and mental health issues.”
A renowned developmental psychologist, Dr James Robson, said, “When a father, the primary male figure in a child’s life, commits such an act, it creates a complex trauma that is difficult to heal. The child feels a deep sense of betrayal, confusion, and shame.”
He added that survivors often struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and a host of other psychological issues.
“They may have trouble forming healthy relationships, both romantic and platonic, as the fundamental trust required for such connections has been severely damaged,” he noted.
He further asked that, as the perpetrator is jailed, support should be given to survivors.
“This support should not be a palliative care of some sort. It should be institutionalised. This is because, with pregnancies like this comes a lot of confusion. What happens to the child when born? How can a daughter of a man share the same father with her child? It is a confusing situation for the child, and putting the father (criminal) in jail would not do much for the survivor.
“Apart from the closure it would give, knowing that the perpetrator was now behind bars, it would do nothing for the survivor who is already pregnant with a seed from the unholy union,” he said.
Speaking on stigma and trauma, another renowned psychologist based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Dr Usen Essien, said survivors face severe societal stigma because of the ‘culture of shame in many Nigerian households’.
He said, “In many Nigerian communities, there is a tendency to blame the victim, questioning their actions rather than condemning the perpetrator. This victim-blaming culture exacerbates the survivor’s feelings of shame and isolation.
“Survivors often find themselves ostracised, leading to double victimisation: first by their abuser and then by society. This stigmatisation can deter victims from coming forward, allowing the cycle of abuse to continue unchecked.”
Legal framework, challenges
Nigeria’s legal framework provides for the protection of children against sexual abuse.
The Child Rights Act 2003 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 are key legislations designed to safeguard children and ensure justice for victims of abuse.
The Child Rights Act explicitly criminalises child defilement, with Section 31 stipulating life imprisonment for any person who has sexual intercourse with a child.
However, the implementation of these laws remains a significant challenge.
Statistics show that cases are not reported, and even when they are, the prosecution can be slow and fraught with difficulties. Corruption within the judicial system and law enforcement agencies further complicates the pursuit of justice.
Moreover, the legal process can be re-traumatising for survivors. The lack of specialised support systems for handling such sensitive cases means that victims often face hostile questioning and scepticism, which can deter them from seeking justice.
This is why many legal practitioners and gender rights advocates have called for a need for a survivor centred justice system.
A lawyer based in Rivers State, Mrs Selena Onuoha, said, “To address these issues, Nigeria needs a more survivor-centred justice system. This approach emphasises the needs and rights of the victim throughout the legal process.
“Police officers, prosecutors, and judges need training on handling cases of sexual abuse with sensitivity and understanding. This training should focus on the psychological impact of abuse and the importance of a compassionate approach.
“Providing psychological counseling, legal aid, and safe shelters for survivors is crucial. These services can help victims navigate the legal process and begin the healing journey.
“Educating the public about the realities of sexual abuse and the importance of supporting survivors can help reduce stigma. These campaigns should emphasize that the victim is never to blame and that the perpetrator must be held accountable.”
She also noted that strengthening legal protections for the survivor even after the case is completed and ensuring that existing laws are enforced and that loopholes are closed were essential.
This, according to her, includes holding law enforcement accountable for negligence or corruption that hinders justice.
Speaking further, she said several high-profile cases in Nigeria highlighted the urgent need for these changes.
“One such case is that of one Obinna, a father from Anambra State, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019 for repeatedly defiling his 12-year-old daughter.
“The case was a rare instance of swift justice, but it also underscored the need for systemic support for the survivor, who had to relocate and change her identity due to the intense stigma she faced.
“In another case, a father in Kaduna State was arrested in 2021 for sexually abusing his two daughters, aged 10 and 12. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the case languished in court for months, causing further distress to the survivors and their families.
“These cases are reasons why there is a need for expedited legal processes and better victim support mechanisms after reports are made, during court proceedings and after the case has been ended.”
Incest
Incest, defined as sexual relations between close relatives, remains a deeply taboo subject across the world.
In Nigeria, the topic is even more shrouded in silence due to cultural, religious, and legal factors.
Yet, understanding the psychological and sociological impact of incestuous relationships is crucial for developing effective interventions and support systems.
Essien, explaining the psychology behind incestuous relationships said, “Incestuous relationships in Nigeria have far-reaching psychological and sociological consequences.
“The trauma, developmental issues, and social stigma associated with incest necessitate a comprehensive approach to support and intervention.
“Legal and religious frameworks provide a foundation for condemning and addressing incest, but more needs to be done to ensure victims receive the psychological care they need. By fostering a culture of openness, understanding, and support, Nigeria can begin to mitigate the devastating impact of incest and help victims reclaim their lives.”
Psychological impact
Speaking on the psychological impact of incest, a child psychology, Mrs Jennifer Longjohn, said incestuous relationships often result in severe psychological trauma. Victims, particularly when the relationship involves coercion or abuse, may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
Longjohn, who is also an educational consultant based in Rivers State, said, “The betrayal by a trusted family member compounds the trauma, making recovery even more challenging.
“For younger victims, incest can disrupt normal psychological and emotional development. Children may struggle with trust issues, difficulties in forming healthy relationships, and identity confusion. These developmental disruptions can have long-lasting effects into adulthood.”
Genetic issues?
Research has shown that the impact of incest can span generations.
Medical experts have noted that children born out of incestuous relationships may face genetic issues and psychological problems.
Doctors and geneticists strongly advise against incestuous relationships due to the heightened risk of congenital disorders, genetic diseases, and psychological complications.
One of the primary reasons incestuous relationships are medically discouraged is the increased likelihood of congenital disorders and genetic diseases.
For example, a study published in the journal, Nature Reviews Genetics, highlighted that the risk of congenital anomalies in offspring of first-cousin marriages is approximately three to four per cent higher than in the general population.
This risk increases significantly with closer genetic relationships. The increased homozygosity – where an individual inherits the same genetic mutation from both parents – resulting from incest can lead to severe congenital abnormalities, intellectual disabilities, and other genetic disorders.
A medical doctor, Dr Shade Olawande, said, “When close relatives reproduce, the probability of recessive genetic disorders manifesting in offspring rises significantly. This is because relatives are more likely to carry the same genetic mutations.”
She also noted that incest increases the chance of homozygosity.
She added, “Recessive genetic disorders, which require two copies of a defective gene to express the disease, are more likely to appear in children of incestuous unions. Research has shown that consanguineous marriages (marriages between blood relatives) can lead to a higher prevalence of genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and Tay-Sachs disease.
Case studies, global stats
One notable case of incest that of the Habsburg dynasty in Europe, known for their practice of intermarriage to maintain royal bloodlines.
The Habsburgs experienced a high incidence of genetic disorders, the most famous being the Habsburg jaw, a prominent mandibular prognathism caused by inbreeding. This case underscores the detrimental effects of incestuous relationships over multiple generations.
In the Nigerian context, consanguineous marriages, though not as common as in some other cultures, still pose a significant risk.
A study conducted by the University of Ibadan in August 2013 and published in the International Journal of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, found that consanguinity is associated with a higher prevalence of genetic disorders in Nigeria, emphasising the need for genetic counselling and public awareness campaigns.
The research work with the title, “Attitude towards premarital genetic screening among students of Osun State Polytechnics in Nigeria” was authored by three scholars – Oluwaseyi Odelola of the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State; O.A Akintaro and Olawumi Adisa both of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
Counselling, therapy important – Psychologist
Essien, speaking further said, “Given the profound psychological and sociological impact of incest, there is a strong case for a psychological reevaluation of individuals involved in such relationships. This reevaluation should encompass:
“Comprehensive psychological assessments can help identify the extent of trauma and mental health issues in victims. This is essential for providing targeted therapeutic interventions that address specific psychological needs.
“Counseling and therapy are crucial for helping victims heal and rebuild their lives. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, and family therapy can be particularly effective in addressing the complex emotional and psychological scars left by incest.
“Developing robust support systems, including support groups and helplines, can provide victims with a safe space to share their experiences and receive guidance. These systems should be easily accessible and sensitive to the cultural context of Nigeria.”
Religious views
A preacher with the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria, Pastor Tekena Chepaka, speaking on the matter, stated that the menace of fathers defiling their daughters was a grave issue that requires urgent attention and action in Christendom.
“The trauma and stigma faced by survivors are profound, necessitating a more compassionate and survivor-centred approach to justice. It is even heartbreaking that most of these fathers claim to be Christians and no God. I feel so ashamed sometimes, but I know that the true Christian God cannot behold iniquity. He is a holy God and those who know him must strive to be holy just like Him.”
He urged Christian fathers to make sure they are led by the Holy Ghost so as not to allow the devil to ‘infiltrate their hearts and give them lustful desires’.
An Islamic scholar based in Kaduna, Mr AbdulHakeem Alaran, on his part, condemned the act.
He said the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PHUB) frowned at it and would not fail to punish any Muslim father who defiles his child and even gets her pregnant.
Quoting several passages in the Holy Quran, Alaran said mothers are expected to be watchful of their daughters and always encourage them to speak up if they are abused.
“This is not just a father-daughter thing. It is unIslamic for Muslims to defile any child. The Prophet (SWT) frowns over it. Almighty Allah (PHUB) also frowns at it and has recommended punishments for men who do this,” he said.
