Operatives of Zone 16 of the Nigeria Police Force arrested a student of the Federal University, Otuoke (FUO), one Kadi, for allegedly stripping and beating up a fellow female student naked.
The incident, which went viral on social media, showed three young women physically attacking a victim identified as Nancy. The attackers slapped and punched her repeatedly, before stripping her naked and cutting her braids with a sharp object. Reports indicate that the violence stemmed from allegations that Nancy insulted Kadi’s grandmother.
In line with the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, CP Francis Idu, Zone 16 agents, together with FUO security men, arrested Kadi who is a student of the Department of Social Work.
In a phone interview with a man whose name was not given, published online afterwards, Kadi reiterated that she was arrested by Civil Defense men and maintained she was being led over to the school administration and then to Zone 16 in Yenagoa. Rumors pointing to her former boyfriend were dismissed as she continued to maintain that the attack was brought about by the supposed offense on her grandmother.
Conversely, the Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence (AWAGBV) and Do Foundation have criticized the act as “shameful and embarrassing.”
AWAGBV President Dr. Dise Harry stated:
“This is not what we expect from young women who should be responsible and law-abiding. It is sad and disturbing that young ladies are trending on social media for such a disgraceful act of violence.”
The parties urged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation since the case represents serious issues bordering on assault, harm to the person, defamation of person, threat to life, and cybercrime.
