In the scorching streets of Damaturu, Yobe State, in northeastern Nigeria, 13-year-old Sahiba Aliyu* has endured unimaginable horrors. The young groundnut hawker’s life took a devastating turn when she fell prey to the manipulative tactics of Adamu*, a man who claimed to be her father’s friend.
“The first time, he asked me to take my clothes off, I did, and from there, he laid me down and started doing things to me even though I told him not to,” Sahiba naively recounted.
Adamu’s exploitation of Sahiba lasted for a year, during which he gave her ₦1000 each time. This pattern of abuse continued until two other men, a biker and a vigilante, discovered Adamu’s abuse of her and exploited her even further.
“They called me to the police quarters [the name of an area in the community] one day and asked me what was happening between me and Adamu. I said it was nothing.”
One of them offered her food and drinks, but she refused. He then forced himself on her, and the other man started right where the first one left off, after which they gave her ₦1200.
Sahiba’s ordeal is a reminder of the dangers young female hawkers face in Nigeria. According to a study published in the African Journal of Reproductive Health, street hawking exposes young girls to all forms of hazards, including sexual abuse. The study shows that 69.9 per cent of 186 respondents reported experiencing sexual abuse while hawking, with 17.2 per cent having had penetrative sexual intercourse, 28.1 per cent were forced into it, and 56.3 per cent submitted willingly while hawking.
The United Nations Refugees Agency defines sexual exploitation as any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, power imbalance, or trust for sexual purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, gaining monetary, social, or political benefits from the exploitation of another.
Perpetrators are overwhelmingly familiar to the victims, often being individuals the children know and trust. Sexual violence against children is more likely to occur in familiar settings, such as the perpetrator’s home, the child’s school, or another trusted space.
Young children are especially vulnerable due to their limited ability to articulate their experiences or seek help. This vulnerability is further compounded when exploitation is disguised as acts of love, protection, or friendship, making it even harder for children to recognise the abuse. Furthermore, poverty increases the risk of violence, with women and girls living in poverty being disproportionately vulnerable to sexual exploitation, including trafficking.
For Sahiba, this vulnerability led to repeated abuse—five times by the other two men and countless times by Adamu over the past year. The abuse remained hidden until her family eventually uncovered the truth. It was her paternal uncle who pieced things together and confronted her.
“What’s your relation with Malam Adamu?” he demanded. Initially, Sahiba denied any connection, but her uncle persisted.
Determined to get to the bottom of the situation, he went to Adamu’s house, where a confrontation ensued. Adamu vehemently denied knowing Sahiba, escalating tensions.
In September, Sahiba’s uncle reported the case to the local police authorities. The perpetrators were detained for a few days but were later released on bail due to insufficient evidence. This development frustrated and disheartened the family, with justice seemingly out of reach.
“It was a bit tough,” she said. Her family scolded her but later had no choice but to come to terms with it; they considered it preordained and part of her ‘destiny’.
“Judgments and scorn”
This ordeal profoundly affected Sahiba’s life, leaving her trapped in a cycle of shame and self-blame. She struggles with the belief that she is somehow responsible for the exploitation she endured.
“I know that I didn’t do the right thing. Had it been I reported home when they called at first, things wouldn’t have turned out the way they did, but I couldn’t,” she lamented.
The trauma has isolated her from the community. Sahiba rarely leaves the house to avoid people’s judgments and scorn, watching her life stagnate. Flashbacks of the abuse often leave her overwhelmed with sadness and regret.
Her future weighs heavily on her mind, particularly her marital prospects. “I am worried about not getting married or being called off because of these events,” she admitted.
The trauma has also strained her relationships with relatives, who now treat her differently. She feels the warmth and connection she once shared with them have been replaced by distance and judgment.
According to JSCI Med Central, the consequences of child sexual abuse are far-reaching. Victims may experience physical effects such as unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, or genital trauma. Psychologically, they may endure depression, PTSD, self-blame, distrust, and anger. These issues often trigger emotional distress like fear and anxiety, as well as social, moral, and economic hardships.
A mother’s blame
The incident affected not only Sahiba alone but also her family, especially her mother. She revealed that her heart condition has worsened due to the stress.
“I often stay home now; I can’t even interact with my neighbours and friends like before; I barely even leave the house to avoid pointing fingers at me and people’s judgments. Her father isn’t around literally all the time and blames me for everything that happened due to my negligence,” her mother lamented.
According to the Somerset Phoenix project, sexual abuse affects not just the survivor but also the rest of the people in their immediate or extended family; they might have feelings of anger, shame, fear, embarrassment, pain, and frustration.
Her mother has worked hard to maintain their bond despite her struggles. She has drawn Sahiba closer, shielding her from additional emotional strain by hiding her own sadness and anger.
Sahiba’s social circle has also dwindled; the friends who once came around no longer visit. Her mother often takes her to stay at their family house nearby to protect her daughter from dwelling on this loss.
When asked about her hopes for the future, Sahiba’s mother said she desires nothing more than justice for her daughter.
*The victim’s name has been changed to protect her from stigma.
This report was produced as part of the 2024 HumAngle Accountability Fellowship, with support from MacArthur Foundation.
In northeastern Nigeria, 13-year-old Sahiba Aliyu faced sexual abuse while hawking groundnuts. Initially manipulated by Adamu, a man she believed to be a friend of her father’s, Sahiba was abused repeatedly under the pretense of friendship.
This exploitation continued with two other men, signifying a broader issue that young female hawkers face, as highlighted by a study indicating a high prevalence of sexual abuse among them.
Despite reporting the abuse, her family’s pursuit of justice was hindered by insufficient evidence.
The trauma of Sahiba’s experience profoundly affected her, inducing guilt and fear of societal judgment, while her mother also suffered emotionally, leading to a strained family dynamic. These events stress the long-term psychological and social impact of child sexual abuse, compounded by societal stigma and a lack of support. The report underscores the urgent need for justice, highlighting Sahiba’s mother’s only hope for her daughter’s future.