A mother’s flight to protect her daughter from FGM

My name is Gbemisola Akeredolu, and I am the mother of a girl named Esther Eyitayo Elo Noah, who was born on 27 September 2010 in Isoko North, Delta State, Nigeria.

When my daughter was approaching the age of 12, members of her father’s family insisted that she must undergo female genital mutilation (FGM), which they practice in their family. I strongly refused because of the dangers associated with it. 

In the past I witnessed girls in that family being circumcised, and some of them later suffered serious health problems such as heavy bleeding and cervical complications. Some even died from excessive bleeding. I was afraid for my daughter’s life, I left Delta State and moved with her to 25 Aliu Street, Ikotun, Lagos, on 28 January 2023 to hide from the father’s family.

However, on 24 September 2024, my daughter’s father located us in Lagos and threatened to take my child away from me by force so that his family could carry out the circumcision. Fearing for our safety, I ran again with my daughter. On 7 April 2025, we sought refuge in a church in Ibadan, where we stayed for protection.

In January 2026, I learned that the father’s family was again searching for us. The church then helped us leave Nigeria for our safety. We arrived in the United Kingdom on 17 February 2026.

After arriving in the UK, the church pressured me to marry a man named Lukman Jamiu. After the marriage, he became violent toward me and began beating me. I also became afraid for my child because he behaved inappropriately toward her.

A neighbor advised me that I should try to seek protection in Ireland, where my daughter and I might be safer and receive help. I fear that if we are forced to return to Nigeria, my daughter will again be at risk of female genital mutilation, and our lives may be in danger.

I am sharing my story in the hope that authorities, human-rights organizations, and the public will understand our situation and help protect my child and me.