THE SURVIVOR

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the WARIF Survivor Stories Series, a monthly feature, where stories of survivors of rape and sexual violence will be shared to motivate and encourage survivors to speak their truth without the fear of judgement or stigmatization and to educate the public on the sheer magnitude of this problem in our society. The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) is a non-profit organization set up in response to the extremely high incidence of rape, sexual violence and human trafficking of young girls and women in our society. WARIF is tackling this issue through a holistic approach which covers initiatives in health, education and community service.

This is Josephine’s story

I woke up that morning to bright sunlight shining into my home in one of metropolitan areas in Lagos. I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel because for two years, I had been enrolled in one of the best fashion institutes in Lagos and I was looking forward to my graduation. The dreams I had of expanding my fashion business were becoming a reality. I had been longing and hoping for this day to arrive and I could not wait to see the pride that this occasion would bring my parents, siblings and household in general.

My name is Josephine and I am 28years old. I have 3 siblings, an older brother and two younger sisters who are both currently in higher Institutions of learning. In 2019 after my Masters degree, I decided to pursue my dream so I enrolled in one of the highly rated fashion schools. We had a task to design something around nature so I choose the Ocean I needed inspiration so I asked a friend to come with me, we got a boat and set out early. It was a good day as I got to catch up with my friend, enjoy the weather and also get inspired for my piece.

We decided to return to shore as the sun was setting and on our way back, we saw a speed boat racing towards us. It was not unusual so we continued chatting aloud until the boat came close to us and within a twinkle of an eye, some men got on our boat, grabbed me and threw me on to their speedboat, I was blindfolded immediately and so I could only hear the faint sound of my friend screaming as we sped away. My captors were speaking and one of them sounded like Olumide, an acquaintance who had approached me for a relationship and I declined because I needed to focus on my education and career before settling down. I did not want to believe that he would do this because I refused his advances. We eventually got to a destination and I was dragged off the boat and into a car, the ride seemed to go on for eternity till we stopped again. I was taken into a building and locked in a room. I overheard my captors telling someone that their assignment was done and they needed their balance paid, it was then I confirmed that it was Olumide that was behind this.

The next day, he showed up and menacingly asked me why I wasn’t eating, he told me that until I gave birth to two children for him, I would not be allowed out so I should cooperate with him and those he assigned to care for me. He would come in the morning and evening to check up on me and assure me he would not harm me and was still surprised at the report that I had not eaten anything for three days. That night when he came to talk to me, his phone rang and I heard him mention the name of my neighbor informing him that the police had located the hide out and they should move me out of that location. He immediately arranged a boat and I was blindfolded again and we really travelled far on the sea outside of the Nigerian border waterways into another location. When we arrived, I was so weak because I had not eaten any food the past three days. I was really traumatized at this point but I made up my mind that if I was going to die, it must not be without a fight.

At this new location, I was assigned a caregiver and she told me he rented the apartment for his wife. He became more forceful with his plan and started having sex with me whenever he visited. I would cry and beg him to stop but he would still go ahead and assault me sexually. I was a virgin before this time and so I hated him the more for defiling me and taking away my purity. At night I would not sleep but I would be tossing on the bed wondering how my parents and siblings and loved ones would be feeling. I was also sad I missed my graduation ceremony and I contemplated suicide at some point to alleviate my sufferings.

About 2 weeks of my detention in that location, the woman who was my caregiver told me that Olumide was travelling for a business meeting and he would not be back for a while, I told her my story, she felt sorry for me but she told me if she did anything contrary, her life and that of her family members would be at stake and she encouraged me to see it as my fate.

On one of the days my caregiver went out to buy provisions, I managed to force one of the doors open. I realized the apartment was located close to a beach so I summoned courage to go out. I saw many people with their family members and since I had absolutely nothing, I decided to beg for alms. I was able to make a decent amount of money so I asked for the closest call centre. I called my brother and immediately he picked up I broke down in tears. I tried to describe the location and he said he would get to me as fast as he could. I waited till evening but I knew that my caregiver would be back home and they would soon start searching for me. This was a risk I could not take. I went to the boat section in the beach and just kept saying “Lagos, Lagos..” I eventually arrived at Badagry and used the last bit of the money with me for transport to the closest police station. I narrated my ordeal and was able to contact my parents. It took them 5 hours to get to me but I waited patiently knowing the worst was over. My mother nearly fainted when she saw me and I saw my father cry for the first time in my life. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t speak, I just wanted to go home.

The police officers also felt for me and referred me to the WARIF centre, where I met the most dedicated and compassionate people who helped me overcome my grief. I was encouraged to live my life again and I was taught coping mechanism to heal me deal with the trauma. I still experience panic attacks, insomnia and mood swings sometimes when I remember my ordeal but I know it’s going to get better above all I have been given hope to live again. The police were able to track down the perpetrators hide out and I am confident that they will pay all for crimes committed against me.

We decided to return to shore as the sun was setting and on our way back, we saw a speed boat racing towards us. It was not unusual so we continued chatting aloud until the boat came close to us and within a twinkle of an eye, some men got on our boat, grabbed me and threw me on to their speedboat, I was blindfolded immediately and so I could only hear the faint sound of my friend screaming as we sped away.

Dear survivor, please know that you are not alone and it is not your fault. Help is available.

If you have been raped or you know someone who has, please visit us at The WARIF Centre - 6, Turton Street, off Thorburn Avenue, Sabo, Yaba or call our 24-hour confidential helpline on 08092100009. For questions or more information please contact: info@warifng.org *Real name of survivor changed for confidentiality