The Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights (CAJR) has called for a stiffer punishment against Shagari Ibrahim, a police officer in Plateau State, for cutting off his wife’s hand.
Mr Ibrahim, a resident of the Dong community in Jos North LGA, reportedly severed his wife Hauwa’s hand following an argument.
Kingsley Obida, the executive director of CAJR, issued a statement on Thursday condemning the act and demanding justice for the victim.
Describing the action as a violation of the wife’s fundamental human rights, Obida labelled it as “inhuman, callous, barbaric, and heartless.”
“We received the shocking news of how a police officer, who ferociously dehumanised his seven-month-old pregnant wife and mother of his children, rendering her permanently disabled,” the statement read.
CAJR denounced the act as outright callous and condemned it in all ramifications.
The group highlighted that such violence against women and girls is prevalent in many communities in Plateau and Nigeria, with many offenders going unpunished.
“We are appealing to the Nigerian police and other security agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting citizens to ensure Ibrahim and other perpetrators of such acts face the full wrath of the law,” the group emphasised.
Additionally, CAJR urged the Plateau Gender Commission to ensure that Ms Shagari and other victims of gender-based violence receive justice.
”It is essential to hold perpetrators of gender-based violence accountable and ensure the protection and rights of women and girls in society,” the CAJR stated.
