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In September 2024, an anti-Female Genital Mutilation activist, Fatimah Olaitan Gbemisola, a Nigeria Registered Nurse-Midwife, and other activists and volunteers were attacked by hoodlums during a peaceful protest along the Government Secretariat Road, Ibadan.
The thugs who were armed with sticks, cudgels, machetes and other dangerous weapons had descended on the unsuspecting group, chanting ‘ E pa Fatimah ati awon ti e’ (meaning ‘Kill Fatimah and her people’). Several of the activists and volunteers were injured, while few others were killed in the struggle.
According to witnesses, aside of those that were killed, Fatimah was also brutally stabbed before she was whisked out of the immediate vicinity of attack by some of the volunteers and some good Samaritans who bundled her into the trunk of a passing car straight to the hospital and ensure her escape.
In October 2024, Fatimah was also attacked at the premises of Fresh FM where she had gone to speak on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forced early marriage, rights of the girl-child and what transpired at the protest of the previous month. Fatimah was snuggled out of the back of the radio station to escape the irate mob waiting for her at the entrance.
Since that last narrow escape, Fatimah has been on the run. Her family has declared a black sheep, while traditionalists and other religious groups are out to deal decisively with her.
Information from some close friends and fellow activists indicates Fatimah as at the time of filing this report she’s no where to be found.