Victims Demand Justice as Maiduguri Woman Assaulted, Suspect Freed

Outrage has trailed the release of a woman accused of leading a brutal assault on her neighbour, Fatima Usman, who is currently receiving treatment at Horoma Clinic, Maiduguri.

Fatima was reportedly attacked on Thursday evening at Old GRA by her neighbour, Hauwa Abdullahi, in company of her son and two other youths. The assailants allegedly beat her with sticks and iron rods until she lost consciousness.

“I only tried to escort my frightened child, but Hauwa and her boys descended on me with sticks and iron rods until I became unconscious,” Fatima said weakly from her hospital bed.

Her husband, Miki Muhammed, told our correspondent that trouble began when Hauwa’s children assaulted his children at a water fetching point. He said he intervened to calm the situation, but hours later his wife was left badly injured.

Muhammed, who lodged a complaint at GRA Police Station, expressed anger that the prime suspect, Hauwa, was arrested but released the following day without charge.

“This is not Hauwa’s first offence. She once broke a neighbour’s wife’s wrist in an assault and has other cases pending, including a petition before the National Human Rights Commission. Yet, police set her free again without explanation,” he said.

He accused the police of negligence, lamenting that his family had been left vulnerable to further attacks.

“This is how justice works in Borno? My wife nearly died, yet the suspect was released to come back home, still threatening us,” he said bitterly.

Residents of the area added that Hauwa had gained notoriety for violent behaviour but continued to evade justice because of her alleged connections with law enforcement officers.

Muhammed has appealed to the Borno State Commissioner of Police, the State Government and the National Human Rights Commission to intervene and ensure justice for his family.