Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu hasdisclosed the arrest and detention of a man accused of assaulting an 18-year-old lady featured in a viral abuse video, while revealing fresh details suggesting the young woman was taken from her father as a child and that her family was unaware of any marriage……
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has disclosed the arrest and detention of a man accused of assaulting an 18-year-old lady featured in a viral abuse video, while revealing fresh details suggesting the young woman was taken from her father as a child and that her family was unaware of any marriage involving her.
Gwamnishu disclosed the developments in an update shared on his Facebook handle, on Wednesday, following public outrage over a video that surfaced online showing a visibly injured young woman, identified as Chisom, with apparent facial injuries.
The footage showed a man alleged to be her husband confronting neighbours who challenged him over the alleged abuse. A subsequent video showed Chisom at a hospital alongside Gwamnishu, where she pleaded with the activist not to pursue the man’s arrest.
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However, Gwamnishu said further inquiries prompted his organisation to intervene.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that Chisom was a minor when the relationship with the suspect allegedly began.
“Preliminary findings indicate that Chisom was only 15 years old when the relationship between her and the man reportedly began,” he said.
The activist admitted that Chisom’s appeal initially made him reconsider pursuing the matter but said he later decided to involve his Lagos team.
“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 members of the Lagos chapter of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation subsequently stepped in, leading to the suspect’s arrest and detention.
“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,” Gwamnishu stated.
The activist also revealed that information received from a relative of Chisom’s father raised further concerns about her background and circumstances.
According to him, the relative claimed Chisom was taken away along with her siblings by members of her late mother’s family after her mother died when she was 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.
Gwamnishu said the relative further alleged that Chisom’s father struggled emotionally after losing both his wife and children and had not seen Chisom and two of her siblings for years until the viral video emerged online.
“They also stated that he was never aware of any marriage involving Chisom and the man now claiming to be her husband,” he added.
While investigations continue, Gwamnishu said his organisation remains committed to supporting the young woman, describing her situation as particularly sensitive.
“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.
