Nigerian Human Rights Commission Condemns Starvation Of Yobe Woman To Death By Husband, Demands Thorough Probe

The starving to death of a middle-aged woman, Sadiya Salihu, in Yobe State has been condemned by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in strongest terms.

The woman was staved to death by her husband, Ibrahim Yunusa Bature, who locked her in a room for one year.

Saharareporters on November 16 reported that Sadiya was rescued by her mother after her husband detained her in his house for one year without food.

Her husband, Ibrahim, is a cousin of a former Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mustapha Yusuf Maihaja and Nigerian Ambassador to Kenya, Yusuf Yunusa.

Sadiya died of starvation and psychological trauma allegedly caused by her husband, according to her mother.

Reacting to the Sadiya’s death, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN), in a statement while condemning the criminal act by Sadiya’s husband, called on the Nigeria Police Force to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter.

The NHRC boss said that the treatment meted out to the woman by her husband was contrary to Anti-Torture Act 2017, as well relevant regiomal and international Principles to which Nigeria is a signatory.

“He therefore called on the Nigeria Police to thoroughly investigate the case and make the report of their investigations known to the NHRC, for further action, assuring that justice will be done in the matter.”

Ojukwu however commended the Commission's state Office in Yobe, the state Police Command and DPO Nguru Division for their interventions before the victim died at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State.