The children on hospital bed
By M. Peter – Jos
Two young girls, Godgift Nyam (11 years old) and Mary Gyang (five years old) who were accused of witchcraft have been set ablaze by some unidentified persons at their Waduruk community, Shen village, Jos South local government area of Plateau State.
The victims are lying critically ill at the Plateau State Specialists Hospital, Jos as the result of the various degrees of injuries sustained help is being solicited from relevant authority to apprehend their attackers and from members of the public to the enable them settle their hospital bills.
The State Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Mrs. Jennifer Yarima who reacted to the incident, condemned such saying it is a gross violation of the human rights of the victims and called for concerted efforts from law enforcement agencies to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
Plateau State Commissioner of Police
In a statement she signed and issued in Jos, the NAWOJ Chairperson noted, “We condemn in strong terms the unspeakable human rights violation meted on two minors, 11 years old Godgift Nyam and five years old Mary Gyang who sustained unimaginable degree of injuries after they were burnt.
“The menace of jungle justice has no place in our contemporary society; it is a disheartening situation that minors will be subjected to such a traumatizing agony without any substantial evidence to prove their claims.
“The members of the community have continued to shield the perpetrators of this dastardly act and chased security agents when they went to arrest suspects. Since nobody is above the law, concerted efforts should be made to arrest and prosecute all those involved in this act of inhumanity to serve as a deterrent to others.”
She stressed that her Association, NAWOJ has picked interest in the case and will follow it to a logical conclusion and ensure that “justice is achieved in favour of the two minors” and urged the State government and all spirited individuals and organizations to “come to the aid of the victims who are in dire need of help.”
