In this digital age where information travels at the speed of light, a tragic event has rocked the student community in Nigeria. The case involving Ayomide Adeleye and Christianah Idowu, two brilliant students, has made headlines and sparked widespread outrage over gender-based violence.
Ayomide Adeleye, a second-year Philosophy student at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ogun State, was apprehended in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Christianah Idowu, a third-year student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
Their tragic encounter happened while they were trapped in torrential rains. Christianah, who was on her way to an internship at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), crossed paths with Ayomide, who decided to offer her shelter in the family shop nearby.
What should have been an act of compassion turned into a heinous act. Ayomide allegedly attempted to sexually assault Christianah, and when she resisted, he allegedly killed her.
The denouement of this tragedy is all the more shocking. Ayomide contacted Christianah’s family using her phone, first demanding an exorbitant ransom, before lowering his demands to N350,000. His greedy act was his undoing, as law enforcement was able to trace him by following his banking transaction details.
Beyond this senseless act of violence, this case exposes the deep failings of security and protection of women in Nigeria. The cry for justice that is being raised today is that of a society that refuses to tolerate violence and abuse, particularly against women.
This sad event underscores the urgency of a firm and resolute response to gender-based violence. He calls for collective mobilization to put an end to these heinous acts and to guarantee the safety and dignity of all, regardless of their gender.
In memory of Christianah Idowu, and in support of all victims of violence, let us commit to working towards a world where safety, respect and equity reign supreme, far from the darkness of violence and oppression.