After the long night, Florence was confronted by her rapist again the next morning. “Then Ibrahim, my rapist, with another youth came to ensure I was still being held… They brought food to me but I [did not eat it for fear] of either being poisoned or [drugged]… After several minutes, Ibrahim and his friend came back and asked me why I refused to eat the food. I replied that I was ok. He became angry and forced me to put on an Islamic veil… Out of fear, I quietly accepted and wore it after little protest.”
Sadly, this type of attack is common among groups such as Boko Haram. They use intimidation, force, and indoctrination to convert young people, particularly women, to radical Islam. The veil and the threats against her family were part of an attempt to pressure Florence to renounce her faith and convert to Islam.
It was not until later that day that she was rescued by police. “While we were still in the same room, a police officer in company of another person barged in and took me to [the] police outpost of Kadunu,” continued Florence.
Despite her testimony and the police finding her in the house, there have been no arrests. She has been trying to fight this with the help of her family, church, and International Christian Concern. If her case is unable to move forward at the local level, it is very unlikely that there will be any justice for Florence.
For interviews with Nathan Johnson, Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org