When a School Becomes a Place of Fear: How 15-Year Old Girl Was Impregnated By School Proprietor 

By Chibuzo Obidike

 

For the family of Nwankwo Oye in Eniko Village, Isiagu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, school was supposed to be the place where their daughter would find hope, knowledge and a better future.

 

Instead, the family is now struggling to come to terms with an experience that has left them asking a painful question: How did a system meant to protect a child become a source of danger to her?

Their daughter, a 15-year old girl, who is in Basic Five pupil and preparing to write her Common Entrance examination, is now five months pregnant.

 

According to information gathered from the family and community sources, the pregnancy was discovered after the girl’s body began showing noticeable changes.

 

Concerned about what was happening, her family reportedly took her for medical examination, only to receive the devastating news that their daughter was pregnant.

For a family already struggling to provide basic necessities, the discovery has reportedly brought not only emotional trauma but also financial pressure.

 

An insider in the family, who asked not to be named, alleged that the proprietor of the unnamed private primary school, identified as Fabian Izuogu, admitted to having sexual relations with the minor.

 

The family source further alleged that the proprietor would invite the girl under the guise of helping her with school assignments and homework, during which he allegedly sexually abused her repeatedly.

 

The source also alleged that the proprietor admitted to having sexual relations with another young woman and other young persons in the community, and pleaded for forgiveness, citing his status as a married man and father.

The allegations have since stirred concern among residents and community stakeholders, particularly over how a child entrusted to a school for education and protection could allegedly become vulnerable to abuse within that same environment.

 

Following the discovery, community youths and stakeholders reportedly took the matter to a security agency in Awka. The suspect was said to have spent four days in custody before being released.

 

The community have raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the release, including allegations that money may have exchanged hands.

 

Those allegations have not been independently established and should be investigated by the appropriate authorities.

 

But beyond the investigation lies an even bigger question.

 

Some members of the community have reportedly suggested that the proprietor should marry the girl because she became pregnant as a result of the alleged relationship.

 

But can marriage be the solution to the sexual abuse of a child?

 

Can a child be expected to marry the person she says abused her?

 

What becomes of her education, childhood and future?

 

Does pregnancy automatically create an obligation to marry?

 

And, most importantly, who protects the child when the person accused of abusing her is an adult who was entrusted with her education?

 

These questions have become central to the growing concern in Isiagu.