Left to die: Uwa, Barakat and the blood of young Nigerians killed with their dreams screaming for justice

By Victor Akuma

They had dreams and hopes for a better future. Sadly, they were killed and buried with their potentials and unfulfilled dreams.

The argument on whether all deaths occur as a natural phenomenon or not can easily be settled in the stories of Uwaila Vera Omozuwa, a 100-level student of microbiology, University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Barakat Bello who was a student of the department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), Federal College of Animal Health and Production in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, who were recently raped and murdered by their attackers.

Uwaila, 22, a student of microbiology also had passion for theology and had been attending theological classes at the same Redeemed Christian Church of God Parish where she was raped and murdered in the pool of her blood, according to Judith, her sister.

In an interview with CNN, Judith said Uwaila was murdered where she had always found peace.

She explained her sister’s knack for reading inside the church was because of its serenity, noting that the house is always noisy since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the attendant lockdown that has forced many people to stay at home.

“Omozuwa usually go to the church on weekdays to study to avoid distractions from her siblings at home,” Judith told CNN.

Till her death, Uwaila was a chorister and still had her dreams of becoming a minister of God keenly alive.

Like Uwa, like Barakat Bello

Barakat Bello was a student of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), Federal College of Animal Health and Production in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, until her death.

On Monday June 1, Barakat’s home located at Akinyele Kara market, was stormed by hoodlums, who are yet to be identified as of the time this report was filled.

The 18-year-old girl was said to be in the bathroom when the incident happened. Her father had earlier stepped out to fetch fuel for the generator leaving Barakat’s younger sister behind when the men came in.

At this point, the young lady was still in the bathroom and for the men, it became an ample opportunity for them to express their inglorious might as they closed in on Barakat forcefully and to ensure no track of their impunity is left behind, they matcheted her in cold blood.

Barakat’s untimely death came at a time the nation was already mourning the death of Uwaila Omozuwa, a victim of same rape case. The two cases have received nationwide condemnation.

More cases

The case of a 12-year-old has also been reported in less than a week that of Barakat made headlines.

The teen whose name was withheld because of societal stigma lives in Ajah, Lagos. She was raped by four masked men in her home.

It was gathered that the 12-year-old victim had bruises and tear in her virgina which led to massive bleeding.

The young lady was at home having her online class when the incident happened. However, she is responding to treatments.

The case of a two-year-old child

An update by Mr. Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Right Commission, NHRC, on Sunday, has it that a two-year-old kid has been raped at Idumota in Lagos State.

The video report which he released on his Twitter handle showed the kid and her mother in public with the Mum scolding the child, saying she’s stubborn as this is not the first time such thing is being done to her.

On the tweet, the Mr. Tony said, “We are currently investigating this case but need all the leads we can get.”

In all these however, authorities concerned like the Police and NHRC as well as numerous human right activist groups have pledged their commitments to ensuring perpetrators of this inhumane act are brought to book as some 11 suspects have been nabbed so far as regards that of Uwaila’s case.

There was earlier the case of Tina, a 16-year-old girl killed by a police officer in Lagos.

No doubt, these young ones and many yet to be reported have either had their lives terminated or stigmatised. What is sure that their bloods will continue to scream for justice for years to come.