18-Year-Old Girl Brutalized By Husband After Marriage Without Her Father’s Consent

Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu said the man accused of assaulting an 18-year-old woman in a viral video is now in police custody, while new information suggests her father was unaware of any alleged marriage involving his daughter.

Gwamnishu shared the update on Instagram on Tuesday, revealing that investigations showed the young woman, identified as Chisom, was about 15 years old when she reportedly started a relationship with the suspect.

The case gained public attention on Monday after a video surfaced online showing the young woman with visible injuries.

In the video, a man said to be her husband was seen arguing with neighbours who questioned him over the alleged abuse.

Another video later appeared online showing Chisom at a hospital with Gwamnishu.

During the recording, the activist spoke about plans to have the suspect arrested, but the young woman appealed to him not to take such action.

“Preliminary findings indicate that Chisom was only 15 years old when the relationship between her and the man reportedly began,” he said.

Giving more details about the case, Gwamnishu said he almost abandoned the matter because of Chisom’s plea.

“Yesterday, while she pleaded with us not to arrest the man claiming to be her husband, I almost backed down. However, something in me said, ‘Harrison, involve your Lagos team,’” he wrote.

He explained that he later decided to involve members of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation in Lagos to investigate further.

According to him, the suspect was eventually handed over to the Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters, where his statement was taken and he was detained.

“The suspect was handed over to Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters, his statement was obtained, he was detained, and officers also visited Chisom at the hospital,” he stated.

Gwamnishu further disclosed that he was contacted by a relative of Chisom’s father, who claimed the young woman and her siblings were taken away after their mother died when she was only seven years old.

“Earlier today, I received a call from a relative of Chisom’s father, who narrated that Chisom was taken away after her mother died. She was just seven years old when members of her late mother’s family took her and her three siblings away,” he said.

According to the relative, Chisom’s father became emotionally devastated after losing his wife and being separated from his children.

The family also claimed they had not seen Chisom and two of her siblings for several years until the video of her surfaced on social media.

“They also stated that he was never aware of any marriage involving Chisom and the man now claiming to be her husband,” Gwamnishu added.

Gwamnishu said his organisation would continue to stand by the young woman as investigations continue.

“Why we cannot abandon 18-year-old Chisom. Her case is unusual, and she is deeply traumatised. Despite everything she has been through, she still needs support, protection, and understanding,” he wrote.

Gwamnishu added that the Lagos State Director of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, Nta Amarachi Judith, is closely monitoring the case while the organisation awaits the outcome of the police investigation.

Watch the video below:

ALSO READ: “My Ex-Husband Tormented Me With His Girlfriends, Threatened To Kill Me” – Victoria Inyama [Video]