HORRIFIC ALLEGATIONS: TARABA WOMAN AND HER MILITARY OFFICER HUSBAND ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY EXPLOITING HER MINOR SISTER
Deaf, non-speaking girl allegedly abused from age 13, confined during pregnancy and forced to give birth at home as rights advocate Sarah Bulus pushes for justice
By Taraba News
A disturbing case involving allegations of prolonged sexual abuse of a minor, threats to life, confinement and unlawful adoption has emerged in Taraba State, with a woman identified as Blessing and her husband, said to be a serving Nigerian military officer, at the centre of the allegations.
The alleged victim is Blessing’s younger sister, a deaf and non-speaking girl reported to be about 15 years old.
Taraba News is withholding the girl’s name because she is a minor and an alleged victim of sexual violence.
According to accounts obtained by Taraba News, the alleged sexual abuse is believed to have started when the girl was about 13 years old, while she was under the care of her elder sister and brother-in-law.
Blessing’s husband is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting the girl.
Even more disturbing are allegations that on some occasions the minor’s hands and legs were tied before she was sexually assaulted.
The allegations have not been determined by a court, and all persons accused of criminal offences are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
ALLEGED ABUSE LEADS TO PREGNANCY
The situation allegedly took an even more disturbing turn when the minor became pregnant.
According to information made available to Taraba News, the pregnancy was allegedly concealed from the public, with the girl reportedly confined and prevented from freely interacting with people who might discover her condition.
It is alleged that she remained confined for several months during the pregnancy.
During the same period, Blessing allegedly presented herself to people around her as though she was the one who was pregnant.
The minor eventually gave birth to a baby at home in 2025, rather than in a hospital.
Sources alleged that despite being a child going through pregnancy and childbirth, she was not taken to a hospital for delivery and was instead kept at a location where the pregnancy and birth could remain concealed.
Following the delivery, Blessing allegedly claimed the newborn as her own child.
The circumstances surrounding how the baby came into Blessing’s custody have subsequently resulted in allegations of unlawful adoption, among other accusations.
ANOTHER SISTER HAD EARLIER FLED
The case has taken another dimension following claims concerning another of Blessing’s younger sisters, who had previously lived with Blessing and her husband.
Contrary to earlier information suggesting that the alleged minor victim herself had escaped in Calabar, Taraba News understands that it was another sister who reportedly fled from the couple.
According to the account provided to Taraba News, the sister had allegedly encountered troubling circumstances while staying with the couple and eventually ran away while in Calabar, Cross River State.
She subsequently came into contact with people associated with a non-governmental organisation.
The organisation reportedly assisted her in reaching the appropriate government authorities, where she received assistance.
Her experience has now become potentially significant to the investigation into the allegations involving her younger sister.
There are also allegations that threats were made against members of the family to discourage them from speaking about what allegedly occurred.
SARAH BULUS TAKES UP CASE
The case subsequently attracted the intervention of Sarah Bulus, a women’s rights advocate who is also a contestant for the Lau State House of Assembly Constituency.
Bulus has reportedly been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the minor and members of her family receive protection and have access to justice.
Her intervention is said to have helped bring greater attention to the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the minor’s pregnancy and child.
Taraba News understands that Bulus has continued engaging relevant persons and authorities as part of efforts to ensure that the allegations are properly investigated.
AUDIO CONVERSATION EMERGES
An audio conversation said to involve Blessing and Sarah Bulus has also emerged as part of the developing case.
In the conversation, Blessing reportedly expressed concern about the possible consequences of the matter for her husband, particularly the possibility that he could lose his job.
Her husband is said to be a serving officer in the Nigerian military.
Blessing could also reportedly be heard pleading with Bulus and expressing willingness to make amends and correct what had happened.
Those familiar with the recording have interpreted portions of the conversation as an acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
However, Taraba News has not independently established the complete circumstances in which the recording was made. Its authenticity, context and evidential value would ultimately be matters for investigators and the court.
BLESSING ARRESTED, ARRAIGNED
Following efforts to pursue the matter, Blessing was reportedly brought to Taraba State, where she was arrested.
She was subsequently arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Taraba State and is currently said to be remanded at a correctional facility in Jalingo.
Among the allegations reportedly being made against her are threats to life, sexual assault-related allegations and unlawful adoption, alongside other allegations arising from the treatment of the minor and circumstances surrounding her baby.
Taraba News is working to establish the precise charges contained in the charge sheet before the court.
It is important to distinguish between allegations being made by the family or advocates and the specific criminal charges formally filed by prosecutors.
MILITARY OFFICER HUSBAND ACCUSED OF RAPE
At the centre of the sexual assault allegation is Blessing’s husband, who is alleged to be the person who repeatedly sexually assaulted the minor.
He is reported to be a serving Nigerian military officer.
According to the allegations, the assaults began when the girl was approximately 13 years old and continued over a period of time.
The pregnancy that followed is alleged to have resulted from the sexual abuse.
If established through investigation and judicial proceedings, the allegations would raise extremely serious questions about the abuse of a child who was living under the protection and care of close family members.
The military status of the accused also makes it important for the appropriate military authorities to establish the facts and determine whether any separate service-related investigation or disciplinary process is required.
DEAF AND NON-SPEAKING MINOR PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE
The girl’s disability adds another troubling dimension to the allegations.
She is reported to be deaf and non-speaking, circumstances that may have made it particularly difficult for her to report what was allegedly happening to her.
Those advocating for the girl believe the perpetrators may have considered her disability an opportunity to keep the alleged abuse hidden.
Her reported age makes the allegations even more serious.
If the claim that the abuse began when she was approximately 13 is established, it would mean that an extremely vulnerable child was allegedly subjected to sexual abuse over an extended period while living with people expected to protect her.
Authorities handling the case will therefore need to ensure that appropriate communication assistance is provided so that the minor can give her account independently and without interference.
HOME DELIVERY RAISES FURTHER QUESTIONS
Another issue requiring investigation is why a pregnant minor was allegedly kept away from appropriate medical care.
According to the information provided to Taraba News, the girl gave birth at home and was not taken to a hospital for the delivery.
Investigators will need to establish whether keeping her away from a medical facility was intended to conceal her pregnancy, age, the circumstances of conception or the identity of the child’s biological father.
Medical and forensic evidence may also become critical in establishing the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy and paternity of the child.
SERIOUS QUESTIONS REMAIN
The allegations leave several questions requiring answers from investigators and the courts:
Was the minor repeatedly sexually assaulted beginning when she was approximately 13?
Was she physically restrained during the alleged assaults?
How and why was her pregnancy concealed?
Was she confined for months because those involved feared that members of the public would discover she was pregnant?
Why was she not taken to a hospital before or during childbirth?
Was Blessing presenting herself publicly as pregnant while her younger sister was actually carrying the pregnancy?
How did the baby subsequently come to be presented as Blessing’s child?
Who is the biological father of the baby?
What exactly happened to the other sister who reportedly fled while staying with the couple in Calabar?
Were threats made against the alleged victim or other family members to prevent disclosure?
And what action has been taken concerning the serving military officer accused of sexually assaulting the child?
These questions require thorough investigation and determination based on evidence rather than speculation.
SARAH BULUS: PUSHING FOR JUSTICE
For Sarah Bulus, the immediate concern is reportedly ensuring that the girl and her family are protected while the justice system establishes what happened.
Her involvement as a women’s rights advocate has placed her at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the allegations are not swept aside and that the minor receives appropriate protection.
The case also highlights the vulnerability of children living with disabilities and the responsibility of families, communities, law-enforcement agencies and social-welfare institutions to protect them from exploitation.
Taraba News will continue to investigate the matter, including efforts to obtain the formal court charges and responses from the accused persons and relevant authorities.
