The secretive scourge: FGM scourge persists in Osun’s hidden communities – Investigation
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
In Osun State, a disturbing reality persists. Despite concerted efforts by government and non-governmental organisations, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) continues to thrive in secrecy, hidden from prying eyes.
Our correspondent reveals that this harmful practice remains entrenched in communities around Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba culture, particularly among families with royal lineage and traditional chieftaincy titles.
In the shadows, parents surreptitiously circumcise their baby girls, often travelling hours to meet with native circumcision specialists, known as Oloolas.
These practitioners operate in secrecy, charging exorbitant fees for their services. Our sources reveal that young girls between 3-10 years old are the primary targets, with older girls facing even higher fees.
The practice is shrouded in confidentiality, with native circumcision specialists taking their clients deep into the forest, beyond the reach of telecommunications networks. It is a clandestine operation, hidden from the public eye, with a network of contacts and information tightly guarded.
Residents of Ile-Ife, like Mr. Alaba Taiwo, are sounding the alarm. “The practice of Female Genital Mutilation has not reduced in our community,” he lamented. “It’s time for the authorities to take action.”
UNICEF estimates that over 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, a procedure that involves partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The physical and psychological scars of FGM can last a lifetime.
While some progress has been made in reducing FGM prevalence in Osun State, our findings indicate that the practice persists in Ile-Ife and surrounding towns. It is a stark reminder that much work remains to be done to eradicate this harmful tradition.
Will the authorities heed the call and take decisive action to protect the girls and women of Osun State from this secretive scourge? Only time will tell.
He said, “People still do FGM in Osun State. I know of a man in my community that told me of how he took his two daughters to a community in Ife to circumcise them. He spent around 15,000 naira on the girls.
“He told me he had to do it based on his religious beliefs. He knows it is a criminal offence, but had to find another way to do it. The people are doing it lowkey and even the agents to these Oloolas are staying in the major towns. I also know of one done in April 2024 at Edunabon.
“I call on the government to provide more education for the people, especially people at the grassroots. It is funny that those who have the requisite information are the ones doing these things. A lot of searchlight needs to be done on these rural communities”
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has warned residents against circumcision of female children, noting that anyone found guilty will face the law.
The Director of Gender Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Mrs Lola Adewale, noted that female circumcision is not an antidote to promiscuity.
She added that the short and long-term effects of Female Genital Mutilation are huge which sometimes may lead to death.
She said there is a punishment for anyone caught in the act.
“Female Genital Mutilation is a cultural belief and a misconception that requires change. There is a need for all key stakeholders to be advocates for the eradication of FGM.
“We’ve talked about the law and our security agents have assured us of their support. So, whoever sees anyone trying to perform circumcision on a girl child should report to the security agencies.
“People believe the practice of Female Genital Mutilation is an antidote to promiscuity but it is not. That’s why we give the health consequences of the practice which at times, leads to death.”
