Aid Organisation Suspends Worker Accused Of Raping Girl In Maiduguri
INTERSOS stated that it was gathering more information and would take appropriate action.
INTERSOS, a non-profit humanitarian organisation that supports victims of armed conflict in Northeast Nigeria, has suspended one of its employees accused of raping a girl in Maiduguri, Borno State, who then took her own life.
Hussarf Abdurrauf, the aid worker, allegedly lured Aishatu Adamu into his apartment and raped her on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 18.
“The victim started shouting in the process which attracted the attention of neighbours who gathered at the entrance of the suspect’s room, which made the suspect open the door while the victim was crying ‘my virginity,’” Sani Kameeludeen, the Borno state police spokesperson, told local press.
Lucy Dlama, a rights advocate who reported the case to the police, told HumAngle that a pattern of such sexual abuses had been observed.
“The girl [Aishatu] was sighted crying as she stepped out shouting ‘why did you do this to me, you have destroyed my life,’” she narrated. She then rushed to the kitchen, took a knife, and stabbed herself. She passed away at the hospital.
In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by Nigerian Head of Mission Enkas Chau, INTERSOS confirmed that one of its staff members was in police custody for rape and other acts of violence. The organisation described the victim as a “woman” even though Aishatu was said by the police to be only 14-years-old.
“Upon learning about this terrible incident, we have immediately suspended the staff, who was off duty and on vacation when the incident happened. As the investigation is ongoing, we will closely monitor the development and take appropriate actions accordingly,” it assured.
“We express our deep sorrow to the families of the victims. At this moment we are focusing on gathering additional information, and providing the necessary assistance to the authorities.”
INTERSOS added that it does not tolerate sexual and gender-based violence and asked people with information about the incident to send emails to nigeria@intersos.org.
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