Inhuman Treatment: Woman Commends Bello, FIDA For Rescue

 

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

 

 

 

Blessing Abbah, a woman subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment in Kogi, has commended the State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello for his swift response and intervention in coming to her aid.

Our Correspondent reports that Blessing Abbah, a widow was ridiculed, molested and exposed to inhuman and degrading treatment in a video that went viral, by a gang of youths in Ogugu community, in Olamaboro Local Government Area.

Some youths suspected to be from her in-laws’ family and the community, alleged that Blessing caused the death of her husband, Goodnews Abbah on account of infidelity and adultery.

Narrating her ordeal to newsmen at the Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC) at State Secretariat Lokoja, Blessing expressed her utmost gratitude to the Governor for his timely intervention in coming to her aid through the PDCRC in collaboration with FIDA and the Kogi Ministry of Women Affairs.

Blessing further explained how she passionately loved her late husband and how she suffered with him due to family issues from her inlaws, saying, ”I love my husband so much and married him out of love and not for any other reason”.

According to her, when my husband sickness persisted he was moved to the village by his brother, and on getting to the village they said it was a spiritual issue.

Blessing specially lauded the Governor for the establishment of the office of the PDCRC upon which the intervention was taking place which would allow justice to prevail in the state.

”I have promised to make myself available whenever my attention is needed in the process of getting justice for me.

”Once again, I appreciate and commend the effort of the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his swift response in order for me to get justice. I so much appreciate him and I will forever be grateful”, Blessing said.

Earlier while briefing the newsmen, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, the Director General of PDCRC, said the briefing was an update on the previous press conference on March 17, 2021, when the Commission drew public attention to Blessing’s case.

”We drew public attention to the fact that whatever the cultural or traditional colouration about the incident, is not our concern.

”But our concern is the circumstances surrounding the abduction of Blessing and her subsequent exposure to all manner of ridicule and inhumanity which violated her human rights including right to dignity and privacy.

”Our message is very clear that it is no longer business as usual in Kogi State for persons to take laws into their hands or to be at the forefront of doing things that would violate the rights of any Kogi resident.

”What happened in Ogugu on that fateful day which went viral was with all intent and purpose a violation of Blessing Abbah’s rights.

”As an organization that is responsible for promotion and protection as well as enforcement of fundamental human rights, we will go all out to ensure that justice is done.

”We are not doing it alone but in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and FIDA to ensure that we work together and get justice for Blessing by bringing those perpetrators behind her ordeal to book wherever they may be”, Zakari reiterated.

The DG explained that the Commission had filed a formal petition with the police where some persons’ were listed as suspects in that infractions on Blessings’ rights.

He assured that they were convinced that the police would do the needful to ensure that those persons involved, pay dearly for their actions.

”We are also drawing the attention of the public to the fact that Blessing was not here during the last press briefing but today she has come from Lagos where she had treatment, to support the petition we wrote on her behalf and be part of today’s press briefing.

”She came to make statement to the police and to express her determination to ensuring that those behind her ordeal pay dearly for it.

”She also came to specifically thanked His Excellency, Alhaji Yaha