Shadow Pandemic

In 2020, the Federal Government of Nigeria imposed a lockdown and implored residents to stay at home to protect themselves and others from the COVID-19 pandemic. But for many women and children, the home became a dangerous place. How could this have been avoided?

Written by Cynthia Igodo

Nov 8, 2021

Photography by Public Services International / FLICKR.

Uwaila Vera Omozuwa was 22 years old when her life was brutally cut short. She was allegedly gang-raped, beaten, and left for dead at the Redeemed Christian Church of God parish she attended, where she had been a member of the choir for many years. The incident happened on May 27, 2020, after most public spaces including schools had been closed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. To avoid distractions from her siblings at home, Uwaila, a first-year Microbiology student at the University of Benin, regularly went to the nearby hall of the church to study.

Days after Uwaila’s death, another young woman started trending on social media. Like Uwaila, Barakat Bello, a student of the Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training in Ibadan, Oyo State was raped and killed. The incident happened on 31 May 2020, at her parents’ house in the Akinyele area of the city. Four days after Barakat’s brutal murder, on 5 June 2020, Azeezat Somuyiwa was also murdered in the same local government area. Azeezat’s head was smashed with a stone and at the time of her death; the 29-year-old was seven months pregnant.

And while Nigerians were reeling from the news of Uwaila’s, Barakat’s and Azeezat’s deaths, we heard about the gruesome death of Tina Ezekwe. Two policemen attached to Bariga Police Station in Lagos fired some shots in yet-to-be-determined circumstances on May 26, 2020. A stray bullet hit 17-year-old Tina, who was standing at the Berger, Iyana Oworo bus stop. The bullet pierced through her left thigh, and after a few days, she died from injuries.

These and many other unmentioned incidents represent the sad tales of violence against women that have been brought to our attention by both traditional and social media since the pandemic started. One thing is clear:

During the pandemic, even homes were not a safe place for young women and girls. The lockdown and the closure of schools, places of worship and other public spaces exposed them to potential abusers, who often lived in their homes, and were neighbours or relatives.

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About the Author

Cynthia Igodo

is a lawyer based in Lagos, Nigeria.

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Shadow Pandemic