Hauwa Shagari’s routine day turned into a nightmare when a disagreement with her husband escalated, leaving her hospitalised and disabled. The incident, fueled by financial tensions, shocked the community, sparking calls for justice for the victim.
On Saturday, April 27, 2024, Hauwa’s life took a tragic turn as a disagreement with her husband, Police Inspector Ibrahim Shagari, spiraled out of control. What began as a mild argument quickly escalated into a violent altercation, leaving Hauwa fighting for her life.
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As she lay in her hospital bed at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Hauwa, a pregnant mother of three recounted the harrowing experience that nearly cost her life. The trauma of being attacked by her own husband, who severed her wrist, left her grappling with both physical and emotional scars.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from concerned stakeholders, who are demanding justice for Hauwa Shagari. The community is rallying around the victim, calling for accountability and action to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Shagari said she could not believe that what started as a mild disagreement with her drunken husband almost sent her to an early grave.
“On Saturday, my husband gave me money to cook soup but he later came back and asked that I return the money to him so I initially refused but later gave it to him and he went out. Later that day, he came back with some older men and asked that I give him more money and I told him there was no money because I had cooked food with the money I had,” she said.
“He started making trouble and the men tried to stop him but he would not listen so they asked me to go outside. As I stepped out, my husband followed me so I returned to the house and he insisted that I gave him some money. Before I knew what was happening, he took a cutlass and started cutting the pawpaw tree I planted in the compound so my son came to report it to me.
“I said if cutting the pawpaw tree would make him happy, he should go ahead. After some time, he came back to me asking if I was talking to him. He said he would deal with me as I was telling him that I was not happy with his behaviour before our children and neighbours. I tried to collect the cutlass from him because from Friday, the previous day to that Saturday, he was very drunk.
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“Next, I heard neighbours shouting, he had cut her hand, he had cut her hand. I saw blood and my daughter was crying. I didn’t even know that he had cut my hand, it was the shout and when I checked, I saw the hand in the nearby garden so I went and picked it up. My neighbours used clothes to stop the bleeding and rushed me to the hospital”; she explained.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Darfur, and the State Chairperson, of Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Olivia Dazyam have visited the victim in the hospital and the State Police Headquarters, asking the State Commissioner of Police, to ensure justice is done in the matter.
Dafur said, “I wish to condemn in the strongest terms the monstrous act of violence perpetrated against Hauwa Shagari by her husband, a Police officer. A woman heavily pregnant for him and the mother of his three children, This heartless and horrifying act has left us all shocked and outraged. No woman deserves to be treated with such cruelty and violence, and it is even more unacceptable that this act was committed by a person sworn to protect and serve – a so-called Police officer…
“As a government, we are committed to ensuring that perpetrators of such acts are held accountable and that victims receive the support and justice they deserve. My Ministry and the Plateau State Gender Commission have begun an investigation into the unfortunate incident and will ensure justice is served.
“On Tuesday, 30th April 2024 we were at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos where the victim is responding to treatment, I want to assure Shagari and her family that we stand with them in this difficult time and will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served.”
Olivia Dazyam, the Chairperson of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission said, “Hauwa, a mother of three is currently seven months pregnant with the fourth child. The Commission is shocked that a man who ought to be a protector of not only his spouse but the generality of society has turned out to be a violator of the very law he swore to uphold.
“The Commission is calling on the Nigeria Police Force in Plateau State to rise above parochial sentiments and ensure the perpetrator faces the full wrath of the law. The Commission also wants the Police to note that the entire State is watching to see their reaction to this and other incidents of violations perpetrated by some men of the Force and the people of Plateau State are looking up to the law enforcement agency to do the needful and acquire justice for the oppressed.”
The Inspector was attached to a special squad known as SWAT. He was on special duty to the Bokkos and Mangu axis and only came back for a change in deployment and decided to go home to see his family.
BusinessDay gathered that the police has since begin Investigation into the matter and he confessed to the crime, he was tried in the orderly room and some punishments have been recommended and sent to the AIG Zone 4 which has the power to review.
The Inspector has spent over 20 years as a Policeman and has taken training in emotional intelligence.
The State Commissioner of Police and the Police Officers Wives Association went to the hospital to see the woman.
Hauwa’s story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the urgent need for support and protection for victims. Hauwa’s resilience shines through, inspiring hope for a future free from violence and fear.
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