Female Circumcision: Family Threatens One Of Their Own
The family of Mr & Mrs Popoola of Babatunde Egungbohun Street, Ayobo,Lagos; whose wife is a native of Ekiti State, has recently cried out to the general public and those in the corridors of power to come to his family’s rescue.
Popoola made the cry while reacting to a letter served him and his family in October 2020. The letter which was said to emanate from one Elder J.K. Alabi of High chief Majiyagbe Alabi family, who serves as the family head from his wife’s paternal compound mandated Popoola,to provide their daughter (name withheld) for prompt family circumcision rites, which he insists remains an ancient tradition held in high esteem.
The family head threatened that,every male or female child from the extended family must be circumcised and thoroughly involved in the rites,failure to which heavy sanctions would be meted out.
However, due to Popoola’s orientation and exposure, particularly efforts by the first lady of Ekiti State Governor and a popular NGO, Fida, who have launched series of campaigns against such awkward practices,believes that,female circumcision should be a thing that shouldn’t be heard of;in the current century. He lamented that,inspite of condemnations against female genital organ mutilation,people still compel family members into it. He added that, it is a child abuse, and forcing innocent children into this act remains a criminal behaviours under the Nigerian constitution, which may lead such family into court sanctions.
Speaking further, Popoola narrated how a letter of reminder was sent to him again in December 2020. He recalled that, out of confusions and panic,he decided to travel abroad with his immediate family and the said daughter. However, as if that was not enough,High Chief Majiyagbe family led by the mother-in-law on the order of the family chairman (Elder J.K. Alabi) with certain other members of the extended family visited his residence,to issue a warning to them.
Popoola who had thought the impromptu journey would have calmed down the whole family pressures, since the set date;chosen for the circumcision have passed,but surprisingly,while him and his entire family was away, the family head alongside the other family members came to issue a verbal warning; saying, “wherever your Oga might be hiding,we will fish him out,soon. He must bring his daughter for circumcision as we commanded him.” Mr. Popoola was also hinted on arrival that out of the four families that were invited, one willingly submitted their daughter for the circumcision while another family was forced in releasing their daughter since they have no place to hide. The other two families are the one fighting for their survival as we speak.
The gate keeper while narrating the incident to his boss marveled at the devastation of the visitors and how desperate they were,to get the child circumcised.
On hearing the gate man’s accounts, Popoola couldn’t believe his ears,since he thought he had escaped;and the whole scenario might have become a forgotten issues. He therefore,out of dismay visited a nearby police station,to channel his grievances,by petitioning the head of the family and everyone involved in the life-threatening saga. He wondered why male or female circumcisions now becomes an issue to warrant threat to one’s life in Nigeria, especially despite numerous local and international campaigns against mutilation of female genital organs.
Popoola maintained that, he does not want to take laws into his hands,that is why he decided to take it legally; while he calls on concerned authorities to kindly vet into the issue,by securing his life and those of his immediate family members,since they have received various threats should they fail to get his daughter circumcised.
He envisage the High Chief and others may come after the life of his daughter. Therefore he calls on the government to come to their rescue, because despite his petition to the Area P Police Command , the police after their investigations issued a statement that the suspects are currently at large and efforts to arrest and prosecute them is being frustrated, and that have not stopped the Majiyagbe Alabi’s family to continue to call and threaten Mr. Popoola that his daughter will be circumcised no matter what.