Activist’s family subjected to violent attacks due to Anti-Child Marriage campaign in Nigeria

The efforts of Mr. Agezeh Sylvester Oghenero and his late wife, Mrs. Agezeh Tuwere Queen, in campaigning against child marriage have led to a series of violent assaults, exposing the dangerous intersection between traditional practices and human rights advocacy in Nigeria.

The first attack occurred on December 22, 2019, when their residence in Sapele, Delta State, was brutally assaulted. This incident, which resulted in significant damage to their home on Esiri Street, was reportedly in retaliation for their activism with FEJIRO INITIATIVE, the NGO they established to combat child marriage and support LGBTQ+ youth. Despite facing numerous threats, local police detentions, and intimidation from community leaders, the couple continued their work. Sadly, Mrs. Agezeh Tuwere Queen was severely injured during this attack and died from her injuries on February 4, 2020, at Igando General Hospital in Lagos.

On July 30, 2023, Mr. Agezeh Sylvester Oghenero experienced another violent assault at Ajah Bus Stop in Lagos. While driving home with his family in their Lexus saloon vehicle (registration number FST 352 EJ) after church, Mr. Oghenero was ambushed. This attack is believed to be linked to his activism, particularly his criticism of a prominent Chief in Okpe Kingdom, who had married an underage girl to settle a debt under a Local Government Empowerment Programme. The Chief had secured a loan for the girl’s father, who defaulted, leading to the forced marriage.

Investigations into these threats and violent incidents against Mr. Oghenero and his family are ongoing. This situation highlights the critical need for Nigerian authorities to confront and eradicate harmful traditions that endanger lives and impede social advancement.