Schoolgirl hospitalized after brutal beating over mango theft in Maiduguri

A schoolgirl has been hospitalized at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital after suffering severe injuries from a brutal beating inflicted by a man identified as Mamman Shettima Baba in Maiduguri.

The incident, which was caught on video and widely circulated on social media, shows Shettima Baba mercilessly flogging the young girl with a thick stick while his wife recorded the assault, encouraging him to “beat her more.”

According to eyewitnesses, the victim and her friends were returning from school when they noticed an open gate with a mango tree inside.

They entered the compound and plucked some mangoes. Some Almajiri children reportedly caught one of the girls and handed her over to the woman living in the house, who then instructed her husband to punish her violently.

The attack left the girl with multiple bruises and injuries, prompting concerned residents to rush her to the hospital for urgent medical attention.

Medical personnel have confirmed that while she is responding to treatment, she remains under close observation due to the severity of the assault.

Following public outrage over the viral video, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps arrested Shettima Baba.

Commandant Abdulrazaq Haroon confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect admitted to beating the girl, claiming students had been repeatedly plucking mangoes from his tree.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from legal practitioners, child rights activists, and human rights organizations, all demanding strict legal action against the suspect.

Many have also called for stronger measures to protect minors from such violent abuse.

Authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that justice will be served. More updates will follow as the case progresses.

Source: Zagazola