Crusaderhotnews
A 26-yr-old mother, Osariemwan Igbinovia, has lamented the renewed plans by her family members to carry out female genital mutilation popularly called circumcision, on her daughter, Angela Amienwanlan, 19yrs after same practice led to the death of her own (Igbinovia Sylvia) twin sister, late Igbinovia Sonia.
It would be recalled that late Igbinovia Sonia and her twin sister, Igbinovia Sylvia were born on the 11th of November 1996 and in line with the Benin Customs and Tradition, any female child born must be circumcised as a way to prevent unnecessary promiscuity as she grows up.
However, it was a long age practice carry out by members of a family in Benin Kingdom, who don't have the required professional skills to so do, since it is was an exercise which has to do with health, a development which portends the kingdom as the potent cultural hub in the world
Though, luck ran against the little Igbinovia Sonia as three days after she underwent the forceful circumcision, she started bleeding and was rushed to the Central Hospital, Benin City on the 6th of February 2003 but later passed on on the 7th February 2003.
According to the medical report made available to the press, the said girl died of bleeding from Virginia mutilation which is known in the medical profession as labia minora and labia majora.
Speaking to clarify the facts, a source who does not disclose his identity for fear of being killed by the family who has persistently indulged in the practice, said that there had been agitations for the abrogation of the practice, pointing out that the exercise has not only facilitated the death of the female children in the locality, but has further ruined their lives as those who did not die, later have their regretted as they ended up not producing children thereby preventing them from motherhood.
He added that the case of late Igbinovia Sonia, was very devastating as efforts by the medical experts to save her life, did not yield results.
The source noted that the family was still bent on carrying on the practice even though it is seen to be anti people, stressing they sent an order to the surviving twin sister and mother of the subject matter, Igbinovia Sylvia, given her ultimatum to produce her daughter for the exercise within specified period or else, she will face the wrath of her disobedience through the mechanism of spiritual attacks which may lead to death.
The source said that the head of Igbinovia family, has reiterated their resolve to continually carry out the practice on both the male and female children of the family as a way of appeasing the gods and ancestors of the land.
He explained that Igbinovia Sylvia, who was still recovering from the trauma of circumcision which eventually led to the death of her twin sister, said that she no longer enjoy sex and based on that, she declined to the request of producing her daughter for the exercise.
Having seen to defy their long age practice, the family who were not comfortable with the trend, boasted to use spiritual means to harm her and daughter.
They boasted to the extent that they said the police cannot unravel the circumstances because it was a traditional and cultural matter.
The source maintained that since her disobedience, the said Igbinovia Sylvia and her daughter had been attacked by one spiritual means and the other to the extent that they vowed not to let go the matter, unless she complied with their order, saying it is sacrilegious not to circumcise female children in the family.
Allayed by the fear of loosing her daughter to the cold hand of death, Igbinovia Sylvia has appealed to the relevant authorities especially the French government to protect her and her children particularly the daughter, to prevent them from coming back home to face unanticipated death arising from cultural and traditional practices.
In a related development, the government of president Muhammadu Buhari, is working out plans to prohibit the circumcision practice, as his government is partnering the lawmakers at the national assembly and states houses of assembly to enact a law to criminalise the exercise.
All efforts to reach the Igbinovia family for comment did not achieve the expected results as the visit to their Osaro Street, residence in Upper Sokponba Road Benin City by investigative journalists, showed nobody was at home as the time of filing this report.
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