When Fatima Hassan* met Jamil at the Islamic and Arabic Study Centre in the Pompomari area of Damaturu, Yobe State, northeastern Nigeria, in 2018, they became close friends.
Although only 17 years old at the time, her friendship with Jamil, who was older, became cordial with a bright, promising future. Fascinated by his charisma and devotion to their faith, Fatima’s family welcomed Jamil into their home.
“After a while, Jamil told my parents that he would love to marry me, and I trusted him too,” Fatima told HumAngle. Unknown to Fatima and her parents, Jamil had sinister intentions. One fateful day, he took advantage of the teenager’s trust and raped her in his car.
“When leaving for his house after one of his visits to us, he had sex with me in his car without my consent,’’ Fatima recounted. “However, I could not tell anyone.”
As days passed, Fatima’s behaviour changed increasingly at home after missing her monthly menstruations and showing symptoms of pregnancy. Her curious mother, Ramla, noticed the change and asked if her periods were regular. Fatima, fearful of the truth, denied any issues.
“Yes, I have been seeing my period. I am fine and healthy,” she told her mother.
But the truth came to light days later.
One morning, as she prepared to attend a wedding with her family, her mother noticed she looked unwell and asked if she felt healthy enough to go out. Despite her assurances, Fatima’s condition worsened after they returned home; she began feeling feverish. Fearing the worst, she took a pregnancy test with a strip, and the result was positive.
Devastated family
While her mother was devastated by the news, she stood by her daughter, offering unwavering support and care.
“After testing positive, we had to get more proof and evidence to back everything up, and as such, she was taken to a clinic for confirmation. We were then told that she was four months pregnant,” said Ramla, Fatima’s mother.
As the teenager navigated the complexities of pregnancy, she faced another daunting challenge confronting her stepfather, the man who had raised Fatima alongside her mother after her parents’ separation.
Even though she was nervous and scared that she might be rebuked, her stepfather’s response was unexpected – he offered comfort and reassurance, acknowledging that Fatima was a victim.
Fatima was later registered for antenatal care to ensure that she received the best medical attention available amid emotional turmoil. In all of these, her family rallied around her, providing a haven from the trauma she had endured.
She told HumAngle that her aunt, Salma, also played a pivotal role in her recovery, offering words of wisdom, comfort, and companionship.
“I had to foster a connection with her and strengthen our bond so that she wouldn’t feel left out,” said Salma. “I am the closest aunt to Fatima. So, we had a series of night talks, gave her advice, cheered her up by always getting her involved in things, and most importantly, we started sharing a room so that she wouldn’t feel alone at night.”
The resilience
As the due date approached, Fatima’s anxiety grew. During childbirth, she suffered from eclampsia, a medical condition that occurs during pregnancy or after birth. It is characterised by seizures that are not caused by any pre-existing brain disorder.
Some of the causes of the medical condition include high blood pressure during pregnancy, family history of eclampsia or preeclampsia and teenage pregnancy or advanced maternal age.
Despite these challenges, Fatima gave birth to a baby girl. In the aftermath of the birth, Fatima’s parents reached out to Jamil’s family, but they claimed their son did not commit any wrongdoing despite overwhelming evidence.
Angered by the attitude of Jamil’s family, the case was reported to the Yobe State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. During the investigation, Jamil did not deny the allegations against him. However, his punishment was a mere slap on the wrist; he was ordered to pay ₦3,000 weekly for the newborn’s upkeep and to provide all basic necessities of the child.
Initially, Jamil adhered to the agreement, making the payments three or four times and purchasing a few essential items. But within weeks, he stopped fulfilling his obligations. When he failed to meet the terms, Fatima’s family decided not to report him again; they went on taking care of their daughter and the newborn.
Once the nursing period was over, Fatima’s family contacted Jamil and handed over his child to him. “I have moved on with my life, leaving everything behind as ‘my past’,” the young lady said.
Research indicates that many Nigerians lack awareness of issues related to rape and associated crimes. The Child Rights Act prohibits sexual intercourse with a child (anyone under the age of 18), stipulating that anyone who engages in such acts is liable to life imprisonment.
The law makes it clear that it is irrelevant whether the offender believes the victim is 18 or older or whether consent was given. Yobe State domesticated the Act in 2021, but Jamil’s case reveals a troubling lack of enforcement.
Nanji Nandang, the Violence Against Women Communications Officer at the Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society, argues that cultural factors hinder the proper implementation of the law.
“Deeply ingrained patriarchal norms and stigmatisation surrounding rape discourage families from reporting cases. Instead of seeking justice, victims are often pressured to remain silent to protect family honour, while influential community leaders sometimes shield perpetrators,” she told HumAngle. “In some cases, traditional mediation or forced marriage to the abuser is considered a resolution.”
Though Aisha, now 24, has moved forward with her life, the scars of her trauma linger.
*The victim has been anonymised to avoid stigmatisation.
This report was produced under the 2024 HumAngle Accountability Programme with support from the MacArthur Foundation.
Fatima Hassan formed a friendship with Jamil at an Islamic center in northeastern Nigeria, which soon turned into a traumatic experience as Jamil raped her. Initially, Fatima kept silent due to fear but was forced to acknowledge the assault when pregnancy symptoms appeared.
Her family discovered the truth, offering support, with her stepfather providing unexpected comfort. Fatima endured a complicated pregnancy, culminating in the birth of a baby girl. Despite Jamil admitting to the crime, his punishment was minimal and he soon failed to support the child financially. Fatima’s family cared for the baby until the nursing period ended and then handed the child over to Jamil, choosing to move on from the ordeal.
The case highlights the lack of enforcement of the Child Rights Act in Nigeria, which criminalizes sexual acts with minors. Cultural factors, patriarchal norms, and stigma often prevent victims from seeking justice. Advocates argue that societal pressures and community leaders sometimes shield perpetrators, discouraging victims from reporting rape incidents. Despite moving forward, Fatima’s experiences illustrate the persistent struggle and trauma faced by victims in such societal frameworks.