Fresh details have emerged in the disturbing case involving 18-year-old Chisom, the young woman rescued from an allegedly abusive husband at a hospital in Isolo, Lagos, with human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu revealing that she was reportedly married off without her father’s consent.
Gwamnishu, who has been actively involved in the case, shared new findings on social media, disclosing that Chisom and her siblings were separated from their father after the death of their mother several years ago.
According to him, members of the late woman’s family took custody of the children when Chisom was only seven years old, leaving her father devastated and unable to maintain contact with them. The family reportedly lost touch with Chisom and two of her siblings until a viral video showing her alleged abuse surfaced on social media on Monday.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that Chisom was only 15 years old when her relationship with the man claiming to be her husband allegedly started.
The activist described the teenager as deeply traumatized and stressed that she needs urgent medical attention, emotional support, protection, and justice.
“Why we cannot abandon 18-year-old Chisom. Her case is unusual, and she is deeply traumatized. Despite everything she has been through, she still needs support, protection, and understanding,” Gwamnishu wrote.
He added that although Chisom pleaded with him not to have the suspect arrested, he decided to involve members of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation in Lagos to ensure proper handling of the case.
According to Gwamnishu, the suspect was handed over to the Isheri-Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters, where his statement was obtained before he was detained. Police officers also visited Chisom at the hospital as part of ongoing investigations.
In another startling revelation, a relative of Chisom’s father contacted the activist and explained that the father had become depressed after losing his wife and having his children taken away from him.
The relatives maintained that Chisom’s father was never informed about any marriage involving his daughter and only became aware of her whereabouts after the video of her alleged abuse went viral.
Gwamnishu disclosed that the Lagos chapter head of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, Nta Amarachi Judith, is closely monitoring the case while awaiting the outcome of police investigations.
“We owe it to Chisom to ensure that justice is served and that every aspect of this matter is thoroughly investigated,” the activist said.
The case has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians calling for a thorough investigation and greater protection for vulnerable young women facing domestic violence and abuse.
