Former Orphanage Girls In Kano Face Abandonment, Abuse After Forced Marriages

Former Orphanage Girls In Kano Face Abandonment, Abuse After Forced Marriages

The Nassarawa orphanage in Kano has long served as a haven for abandoned and orphaned children, many of whom were found on the streets or lost their parents due to accidents or other tragedies.

Supported by the Kano State Government, the facility ensures the children’s basic needs—feeding, clothing, and education—are met until they reach adulthood. While male wards often go on to secure government jobs or start small businesses, the female wards are typically married off to interested suitors…READ MORE….

Over the years, hundreds of girls have been given away in marriage. However, several of them are now speaking out about the harsh realities they’ve faced afterward. In interviews with DAILY POST, some women shared stories of abandonment, abuse, and neglect, revealing that they now rely on public alms for survival.

Hadiza Muhammad, 40, and Halima Muhammad, 45, both products of the Nassarawa orphanage, recounted their painful experiences. They described long years of abuse during their marriages, followed by divorce and hardship, all while raising children on their own.

Hadiza recalled her traumatic beginnings, saying, “I was found after a car crash along the Kaduna road—the only survivor. I grew up in the orphanage until I was deemed old enough to marry.” She explained how pressure to vacate the orphanage made her rush into marriage with a man from the Republic of Niger. After years of suffering and having two children, she was abandoned. “He left us and now lives on the street. I returned to the orphanage, but they said there was no space for mothers and children.”

Halima shared a similarly distressing story. Divorced and left to raise five children, she is now battling serious health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. “I have no legal support, and now my landlord is threatening eviction because I can’t pay rent,” she said.

Both women appealed to the Kano State Government to create dedicated support systems for women facing similar challenges. They stressed that many others remain in abusive marriages with no avenue for help.

Comrade Hafiz Sanusi Sanka, Kano State Chairman of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), acknowledged the problem. Speaking with DAILY POST, he confirmed that his office regularly receives complaints of this nature and is actively engaging with stakeholders to address the situation.

“We’ve visited the orphanage and are seeing promising steps being taken. There is already a shelter for such women, but it is insufficient. Thankfully, the Governor has approved the construction of 20 additional houses to accommodate women whose marriages have ended or whose husbands have passed away,” Sanka stated.

He also mentioned the state’s effort to provide employment opportunities to former orphans. “Just last week, 22 young men and women from the home were given government jobs,” he added.

Sanka praised the progress so far but emphasized the importance of sustained efforts to support these vulnerable women.

When contacted, the head of the Nassarawa orphanage, Hajiya Maimunatu, declined to speak in an official capacity but confirmed the statements made by the IHRC Chairman.

Each year, numerous children are found abandoned across Kano and its environs. The responsibility of their welfare lies with government institutions tasked with ensuring they are raised in a safe environment and given the opportunity for a better life.