FGM : Trouble Looms As Family Rejects Circumcision of daughter In Esan

No fewer than 10 houses have been razed down by protesting youths in Esan land after news broke that a woman absconded with her family from the community to avoid having her daughter being circumcised .

Pandemonium however erupted in Igueben community in Igueben local government area of Edo State as youths of the community demonstrated in protest against reports that Aghedo Victoria, wife of Thompson Usunboun, fled in order not to have their daughter circumcised, an action which led to wanton destruction of property and houses .

Recall that in Esan culture, girls from from 0 age to 18 are usually circumcised by family to stop the girlchild from promiscuity at adulthood .

However, For the family of Mr.Thompson Usunboun whose family house also came under heavy attack by angry youths of Igueben community, they became exposed to threats from elders of the community immediately he rejected the decision to have female genital mutilation performed on his daughter Rhema Usunboun.

It was gathered that Mr Thompson rejected outrightly the circumcision of his daughter by elders of his family even when it was culturally acceptable to many in the community as opposed to his opinion.

According to a family source, both parents rejected circumcision of their daughter Rhema, simply because several young girls in the community and beyond have reportedly died from the process using unsterilized and crude sharp objects capable of transmitting infectious diseases .

The source in the family who spoke on condition of anonymity said the youths in the community decided to embark on the violent demonstration when they learnt that his wife absconded with her daughter and other children on March 23rd 2023 while her husband was away at his place of work.

It was further disclosed that elders had on March 23rd convened to witness the circumcision as youths of the community were mandated to bring little Rhema from the Thompson’s house for the process to commence as those to carry out the circumcision were already in attendance.

However, it was disclosed that some of the youths angrily protested back to the elders to inform them that Thompson’s wife Aghedo Victoria had absconded with the daughter before their arrival at the family house while others registered their displeasure by destroying buildings and setting bonfires .

Meanwhile, a visit to the family house of Mr.Thompson Usunboun in the Igueben community in Esan land revealed a building in complete desolation as there are no visible signs of human habitation after it was abandoned on March 23rd 2023.
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