Forced Circumcision Threats Push Families to Flee Communities
By Ahmed Ahmed
Nigeria continues to grapple with the widespread practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), locally referred to as the “circumcision” of the girl child, despite growing national and global efforts to eradicate the harmful tradition.
Human rights activist, Mr. Samuel Alabi, made a fresh call for urgent action over the weekend in Bauchi.
He urged authorities, civil society groups, and community leaders to intensify awareness campaigns on the dangers of FGM and the benefits of abandoning the practice.
Nigeria, due to its large population, is believed to have one of the highest numbers of circumcised women globally. International statistics estimate that between 115 and 130 million women worldwide have undergone FGM, with Nigeria contributing significantly to this figure.
A recent review puts the national prevalence rate at 41 percent among young girls and adult women.
Global bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), UNICEF, the African Union (AU), and several women-focused organizations have sustained pressure to end FGM in Nigeria, Africa, and other parts of the world.
Yet, the absence of a federal law banning the act in Nigeria continues to hinder progress. The practice remains deeply rooted in customs and traditions across the South-West, South-East, South-South, and some northern regions, where it is strongly tied to cultural lineage and beliefs.
The consequences of FGM remain devastating. Medical experts warn that it causes infections, severe psychological trauma, life-threatening complications, and, in many cases, death. These dangers have forced several families to flee their communities and in some cases, the country to avoid being coerced into the harmful practice.
Reports reveal that families in Oyo, Ondo, Imo, Delta, and the Federal Capital Territory are among those who have fled for safety. In Ibadan, Oyo State, the family of Mr. Najeem Ologun reportedly escaped for fear of forced circumcision.
Similar cases were recorded in Owo and Akure in Ondo State, as well as Okigwe in Imo State. In Abuja, Mr. Stephen Ologbosere’s family also relocated, while another family in Delta State has gone into hiding.
Activists insist that FGM is an outdated, dangerous tradition and a violation of human rights, urging communities to embrace modern values that protect the dignity and wellbeing of women and girls.
