Woman cries out over threat to circumcise daughter

A resident of Ibadan, Oyo State, Oluwatomilola Faith Adesida, is living in fear, following threats from her in-laws to circumcise her daughter, Adesida Ademide Alina, born on July 20, 2022.

Her case highlights the ongoing discussions around traditional practices and the rights of women and children in modern society.

The World Health Organisation and other health bodies are promoting end to genital mutilation for female.

In a report filed with the Nigeria Police at the Iyaganku Area Command in Ibadan, Oluwatomilola described her ordeal, emphasising that her in-laws were insisting on the procedure based on a purported family custom.

Oluwatomilola expressed that her husband had never informed her of the family tradition prior to their marriage in April 2020.

She revealed that her husband initially assured her he would address the issue but failed to take any action. Consequently, she felt compelled to seek police intervention.

The police, after hearing her concerns, invited her in-laws for a discussion. They noted that the in-laws claimed they would return home to resolve the issue amicably.

After the police invitation, Oluwatomilola said the family had reneged on the promise made and had been threatening her life to cooperate with them over the child’s circumcision.

She said all entreaties to the family to forget the circumcision idea had fallen on deaf ears, lamenting that with the situation, her life and that of her daughter were not safe.

Although the police advised Oluwatomilola to remain cautious and report any further threats to the station, she said the family had even warned her against reporting to the police again