NEWS: MR BRIGHT OTABOR WANTED

Battling a Barbaric Cultural practice In Edo State

Many communities across Nigeria are yet to embrace modernity. They are still holding strong to their ancient traditional practices that put the human life in danger. Incidents of Female Genital Mutilation and customary justice are rife. 

The continued practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) around the country based on a belief system is impacting gravely on the future of women, writes.

 Abiodun Eremosele, The pains she suffered made her weak. At age 14, Victoria Ibechukwu from a community in eastern Nigeria went through a humiliating experience of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). As she sat with this reporter to recount her ordeal, she wished it had not happened to her. "I was forced against my wish," she said. "But female circumcision or genital mutilation is not leaving us so soon. It is so deep that no knife can cut it. I went through it, and it was so painful and damaging. I want it stopped, I want it stopped and I want it stopped. No new generation lives in its past. We don't need a barbaric culture anymore."

Another worrying issue is that of customary and mob justice. This populist delivery of justice has sent many fleeing the country for fear of their lives.

The story is told of Otabor Bright of the Egor Local Government Area in Edo State whose where about remains in doubt. Charged with ensuring that local levies are paid, the young lad is said to have put his life in jeopardy. After an armed altercation with other community members that claimed the life of the chairman, Osahon Osamede in June 2015, the 22-year-old has since not been seen. The unfortunate twist of events saw the razing of the home of the young man by an armed group. With guns in the hands of locals, it becomes very insecure for many to survive.

 The culture of guns, killings and female genital mutilation must be erased in Nigeria if we are to pass for a civilized state.

Now OTABOR BRIGHT has been declared wanted by Mobs since December 2015 in a Community that made him flee for his life. His where about is still unknown....

By James