One wonders why in spite of campaigns by respective organizations and government to address sexual and gender based violence, the media lately seems to be awash with gory pictures, unfortunate incidences and heart breaking testimonies that have left victims either maimed, disfigured, abandoned and caused some their lives.
One was dumb founded at the alleged gruesome murder of Simi Dusu Chado and the assault on her sister Justina Dusu Chado, leaving her with matchet cuts and in the event, she lost one of her eyes by the suspect, Stephen Pam Luka Jang a resident of Sabon Gari Tudun wada, Jos Plateau State who is presently in Police custody.
The incident which occurred on the 27th of July 2016 as a result of a misunderstanding that ensued between Stephen Luka and Justina Dusu over the issue of pregnancy which he is responsible for but threatened her to terminate it. Her refusal did not warrant this heinous act that led to the death of her sister who was mediating over the matter.
In a chat with the Sunday Standard, the survivor and younger sister of the deceased explained that she had been in a relationship with Stephen (her boy friend) since 2009 when they met in the village (Foron) during Christmas. Justina said she relocated to Abuja where she was staying with her elder sister, late Simi to make ends meet.
While in Abuja, she sought to find out from Stephen her ‘lover’ how serious he was with their relationship because someone had asked for her hand in marriage. According to her, he confirmed that he was willing to marry her. That news sounded pleasant to her and pledged her commitment into the affair as well.
The table however upturned for Justina when she visited home with her sister Simi in June. Justina confessed that Stephen made love to her three times before she found out she was pregnant. It was the news of her pregnancy that broke the Carmel’s back. In an effort to address the issue after several calls to mediate, late Simi asked Justina if she knew where the boy resides which She gladly did.
In her narration, she said when they found him, he told her elder sister to excuse them so that they could discuss further. Barely few minutes after her sister went out, he picked a matchet and hit her on the neck and several of such made her screamed for help. Her sister quickly rushed in to help, but unfortunately was hacked on the head and other parts of her body living them in pool of blood and hopeless condition.
Eye witness account said Stephen hired a tricycle and picked the two ladies in their sorry stage to Hwolshe Medical Centre and later to Rayfield Medical Centre for intensive care. He rushed to report to the Police that they were his girl friends who fought and got themselves injured.
The culprit didn’t know that one of the ladies could recuperate to give the true account of what had transpired and therefore coined the story to suit his purpose.
There was connivance between the Police, father of the boy, Luka Shut Jang who is an elder with ECWA Church Sabon Gari, Tudun wada Jos and Justina’s uncle Sunday Chado, who rushed to bury late Simi at Foron while investigation was still ongoing. This was done in company of Reverend John A. Danyaya, the leading minister of the church who accompanied the corpse to Foron. There was no cause for any delay over the prosecution of the suspect after he had glaringly confessed to carrying out this heinous act.
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Plateau State chapter is concerned about the delay on the prosecution of the suspect before a court of law since the incident occurred about two months ago. It notes that this act has clearly depicted the decay in our society and particularly the unacceptable degree of irresponsibility exhibited by some dangerous people who are wolves in sheep clothing. It has equally revealed the vulnerability of women in our country today.
NAWOJ decries the rampant reoccurrences of Sexual and gender based violence being perpetrated around our environment without impunity. As Journalists and watch dog of the society, it is mandated to address some of these societal ills with nothing to hide from the public glare so as to enable the world appreciate the plight of women and children nowadays.
NAWOJ is therefore calling on the Plateau State Government through the Ministry of Justice, Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and other relevant authorities responsible for protecting and ensuring the rights of the average Nigerian is adequately protected to champion this course to ensure that the victim Justina Dusu accesses justice.
While noting that the association intends to collaborate with well-meaning organizations and individuals towards finding succor for the victim and survivor of this dastardly act, it assures that it would stand by her throughout the ordeal until justice is done on the matter considering the fact that she is from a vulnerable background.
The association is calling on such victims of any form of violence to speak out against ills perpetrated on them so as to forestall future occurrences and let the law takes its course.
The pathetic situation now is that Justina is pregnant and needs medical attention. In the absence of the family’s bread winner, who will fend for them? Her father Dusu Chado had been paralyzed and incapacitated to help them to further their education.
It might sound surprising that throughout their stay in the hospital, no support came from the family of the suspect instead according to a family source they are receiving threats to withdraw the case
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