BY LAKE CHAD TIMES, JULY 20, 2025| 8:36
A 13-year-old Hauwa Muhammad, a mentally challenged girl, is now eight months pregnant following a three-week abduction and a rape in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Hauwa's story gained traction on social media, particularly Facebook, on Sunday, July 20, 2025, prompting an investigation by our reporter.
Our reporters confirmed that the incident was to have taken place in Jajeri, a community within Maiduguri.
Her story highlights a devastating chain of events, from family tragedy to unspeakable abuse, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced child protection measures.
Hauwa's life has been tragically marked by loss and abandonment.
After her father passed away some years ago, her mother, due to Hauwa battling mental illness, abandoned her and left her with her paternal family.
A dark pattern soon followed, every one of the four uncles and an aunt, which is also her namesake, who took her in subsequently, died.
This heartbreaking sequence led other relatives to fear taking her in, believing a curse followed her.
Despite the widespread apprehension, her father's immediate younger brother, driven by compassion, took Hauwa in to prevent her from living on the streets.
Though financially struggling, he never exploited her or forced her into labour.
However, due to her mental condition and young age, Hauwa would sometimes wander off. It was during one such instance that she was abducted.
For three agonizing weeks, she was held captive and repeatedly assaulted.
Upon her return, Hauwa, unable to speak and further hindered by her mental health, desperately tried to communicate her ordeal.
Her family, misinterpreting her signs, believed she was indicating an injection.
The horrific truth only surfaced weeks later when her pregnancy was discovered.
Khadija Ramat, a compassionate Samaritan who is also Hauwa's Godmother, currently caring for Hauwa, revealed to Lake Chad Times Newspaper that the teenager is now eight months pregnant.
She refused to let the suffering of this vulnerable girl go unnoticed.
Seeing Hauwa, mentally challenged and now eight months pregnant without proper care, Khadija turned to social media, appealing for government intervention.
Her plea has been heard, The Borno State commissioner for women affairs and social development, Zuwaira Gambo, also confirmed to Lake Chad Times Newspaper her ministry's immediate involvement.
The commissioner stated they have contacted Hauwa’s godmother and will transport Hauwa to a hospital for critical care the next day marking Monday, July 21.
Furthermore, the commissioner has vowed that the perpetrator of this horrific crime will be swiftly traced and brought to justice.
Currently, Hauwa is being cared for by compassionate volunteers in Maiduguri's Jajeri area.
They have issued a public appeal for comprehensive medical, legal, and psychosocial support for the young victim, urging all relevant agencies to 'help save Hauwa’s life.'