Siblings chain, imprison sister, 2-month-old baby for 5 months

By Ajuma Edwina Ameh

A 32-year-mother, Saratu Ayuba, and her two-month-old baby, have been rescued by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gombe State after she was imprisoned by her brothers for five months in a room by her siblings.

Saratu was chained and locked up with her two months old daughter inside an unhygienic, single room by her brothers at their family house at Bolari quarters, Gombe, for getting pregnant out of wedlock.

Fortunately, NSCDC came to her rescue following a tip-off by concerned neighbours who learnt of the inhuman condition she was subjected to while locked up at the family house.

Following her rescue, Saratu, who had emaciated due to the inhuman treatment meted to her, said she was fed only with tea and bread once a day for the last five months while being incarcerated.

She said as a result of her unhealthy condition, it was difficult for her to produce enough breast milk to breast feed her daughter.

Speaking further, she disclosed that her former husband was responsible for the pregnancy, adding that he deliberately did it to force her brothers to get her back to his house after he “mistakenly” divorced her twice.

However, Saratu’s elder brother, Muhammad Tajudden, debunked the claims, as he told reporters that they locked her in the room after she was diagnosed with a mental illness.