A girl child advocate, Chioma Pauline, has called on the Nigerian government and relevant agencies to ensure justice for Ochanya, the 13-year-old girl who died after enduring years of sexual abuse while living with relatives in Benue State.
Chioma, who leads the Girl Child Development Initiative (GCDI), said her organization is joining other women and advocacy groups nationwide to demand accountability for those responsible for Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje’s tragic death.
According to her, Ochanya left her parents’ home at the age of eight to live with her uncle in pursuit of better educational opportunities. However, she was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual abuse – first by her cousin and later by her uncle. Reports later confirmed that she died from Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) and other complications linked to prolonged assault.
Chioma expressed deep concern over the government’s silence and the slow pace of justice in the case, vowing that her group would continue to advocate for abused and neglected children across the country.
“The pain Ochanya endured must not be in vain. Our society must rise to protect children from abuse and bring to justice those who destroy young lives through acts of violence and neglect,” Chioma said.
She further appealed to the Enugu State Commissioner for Gender Affairs, the United Nations, and UNICEF to intervene and ensure justice for Ochanya while also strengthening protection systems for other vulnerable children in Nigeria.
Advocacy March in Enugu
As part of their advocacy efforts, members of the Girl Child Development Initiative held a peaceful march in Enugu to raise awareness about the need for justice and stronger child protection laws.
The procession began at Independence Layout, passed through Presidential Road, O’Connor Street, and Ogui Road, and concluded at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, where prayers were offered for victims of child abuse.
The group also visited the office of the Enugu State Commissioner for Gender Affairs, where they were received by a representative of the ministry who commended their peaceful advocacy and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting child rights protection.
The Tragic Story of Ochanya
Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje’s story remains one of the most heartbreaking cases of child abuse in Nigeria. She was born in Benue State and died on October 17, 2018, at the age of 13, following years of alleged sexual abuse and neglect that led to severe medical complications.
After leaving her rural home to live with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ogbuja, in Ugbokolo, she hoped for a better education, as there was no functioning school in her village. Instead, she reportedly endured continuous sexual assault for five years from both her uncle, a lecturer at Benue State Polytechnic, and his son, Victor Ogbuja.
Medical experts later confirmed that the prolonged abuse caused a Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) – a condition that results in uncontrollable leakage of urine – along with other infections and trauma. As her health deteriorated, Ochanya became unable to walk or control her bodily functions and was eventually hospitalized at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.
After two months of battling complications, Ochanya succumbed to her illness and passed away in October 2018.
Continued Call for Justice
Human rights advocates and civil society groups have since used Ochanya’s case as a rallying point in the fight against child sexual abuse and violence in Nigeria. They continue to demand stronger enforcement of child protection laws, accountability from those in positions of authority, and justice for all victims of abuse.
For Chioma Pauline of the Girl Child Development Initiative and other peaceful protesters, justice for Ochanya is not just a call for punishment but a demand for systemic change – one that ensures no Nigerian child ever endures such horror again. Visit GMTNewsng for more news.
