He grabs my neck to suffocate me and squeezes my br3asts — Woman drags her husband to court over alleged dehumanising treatment
A harrowing case of alleged domestic violence and emotional cruelty has been brought before the Sharia Court sitting at Rigasa, Kaduna State, where a mother of four, Zainab Buhari, has accused her husband, Babangida Ibrahim, of routinely abusing her physically, emotionally, and sexually. The case, which is currently unfolding, has sent shockwaves across the state and sparked renewed calls for urgent legal and societal action on domestic violence in northern Nigeria.
At the heart of the matter are Zainab’s chilling claims of repeated beatings, economic abandonment, sexual coercion, and psychological torment — all allegedly perpetrated by the man she married and with whom she shares four children.
According to the testimony given by the complainant, Zainab Buhari, her husband’s conduct has gone beyond the boundaries of marital conflict and into the realm of systematic dehumanisation.
“He grabs my neck to suffocate me, squeezes my breasts hard and demands for sex,” she told the court.
She added that her husband frequently denies her and their children basic needs, including food and money for school, despite her being the one who pays for the children’s education, feeding, and clothing.
“I take care of our children’s school fees, feeding, clothing, and other needs,” she continued. “Whenever I run to my parents, they beg me to return to my matrimonial home.”
The anguish in her voice as she addressed the court underscored a larger problem many women face in similar circumstances — societal and familial pressure to endure suffering in silence in the name of preserving marriage.
In his response, the defendant, Babangida Ibrahim, denied all allegations. He offered no alternative explanation for the complainant’s injuries or claims, and did not provide evidence to disprove her testimony.
With both parties presenting conflicting narratives, the presiding judge, Malam Salisu Abubakar Tureta, ordered Zainab to bring forth witnesses to substantiate her claims. The case was subsequently adjourned to allow for further hearing and the presentation of evidence.
Zainab’s case is not an isolated incident but part of a deeply entrenched pattern of gender-based violence (GBV) affecting thousands of women in Nigeria, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where patriarchal structures remain dominant.
Domestic abuse — whether physical, sexual, emotional, or financial — is widespread yet often underreported in the northern region due to a mix of cultural stigma, religious sensitivities, economic dependence, and pressure from extended families.
YOU MAY READ
Where Do I Start Crying From? A Former Beauty Queen, Mitchel Ugochi Ukachukwu { Ikukuoma’s wife } laments after finding out her husband uses her face wash as bathing and hand soap
Many women are conditioned to believe that endurance is a virtue in marriage, leading them to remain in toxic relationships long after clear signs of abuse emerge. When they do summon the courage to speak out or seek redress, they are often met with societal resistance or legal obstacles.
Zainab’s statement that her own parents begged her to return to her abusive matrimonial home is a poignant reflection of this cultural burden.
Although Nigeria has domesticated international treaties like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), enforcement remains uneven. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act passed in 2015 provides a strong framework for addressing such abuses, but only 36 states have domesticated the law as of 2025.
Kaduna State passed its own version of the VAPP law in 2018, which criminalises spousal abuse, harmful traditional practices, emotional abuse, and economic deprivation. However, the effectiveness of such legal provisions is still compromised by:
- Limited awareness of rights among women
- Poor access to legal aid
- Cultural pressure to reconcile rather than prosecute
- Gender bias within legal and religious institutions
In this case, the Sharia court has opted to allow Zainab to bring witnesses, a decision welcomed by many rights activists who fear that such cases are often dismissed due to lack of evidence or out-of-court settlements imposed on the victims.
Following the media coverage of Zainab’s testimony, several women’s advocacy groups have stepped forward to offer support. Kaduna Women’s Alliance for Justice and Dignity issued a statement calling on the court to ensure that the case is handled with fairness, transparency, and compassion for the alleged victim.
“We commend Zainab for her bravery,” said Hauwa Musa, spokesperson for the group. “Her story echoes the pain of thousands of Nigerian women suffering silently. We urge the court to ensure she receives justice, and that her children are protected from further trauma.”
The group also offered to provide legal and psychological assistance to Zainab, should she require it.
Religious and cultural interpretations of marital obligations often complicate the issue of abuse in Northern Nigeria. While Islam strongly condemns any form of unjust treatment or violence against women, conservative interpretations have often been misused to justify male dominance and female subjugation.
Many Islamic scholars and clerics in the region are now calling for a re-examination of these interpretations. Sheikh Abdulrahman Sani, an Islamic scholar based in Zaria, noted that “any man who causes physical or emotional harm to his wife has gone against the Sunnah of the Prophet, who lived peacefully and respectfully with his wives.”
Sheikh Sani added that abuse in the name of discipline is un-Islamic and criminal. “No culture or religion justifies suffocation or forced sex. If true, what this woman suffered is both a spiritual and legal violation,” he said.
One of the more distressing aspects of Zainab’s case is the effect on her four children, who are reportedly being raised in a home riddled with conflict and fear. Exposure to domestic violence — even as witnesses — is known to have long-term psychological consequences on children, including anxiety, behavioural issues, poor academic performance, and perpetuation of the cycle of abuse.
Rights advocates are urging the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development to monitor the children’s wellbeing and provide support services, including counselling and intervention if necessary.
With the judge’s order to Zainab to present her witnesses, the next court session will be crucial in determining the credibility of the allegations and the course the case will take. Legal experts say if her testimony is corroborated by credible witnesses, the case could potentially set a precedent for how Sharia courts handle spousal abuse under the broader umbrella of civil protection laws.
It remains unclear whether Zainab will pursue a divorce, seek damages, or request custody of the children. However, her decision to file a formal complaint signals a growing trend of women choosing to challenge traditional silences and assert their rights within the legal system.
The case has stirred massive reactions on social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where hashtags like #JusticeForZainab and #StopDomesticAbuse have begun trending in Kaduna and other parts of northern Nigeria.
While many praised Zainab’s courage, others debated the role of religious courts in handling abuse allegations, with some users arguing that civil courts should be mandated to handle criminal elements of domestic violence.
“This woman deserves the full protection of the law,” wrote activist Maryam Balarabe. “Let’s not sugarcoat abuse just because it happens inside marriage. It is still a crime.”
Zainab Buhari’s case represents not just the struggle of one woman, but the painful ordeal faced by thousands of women who endure abuse under the cover of marriage, religion, and tradition. As the court prepares for the next hearing, many across the state — and the nation — are watching closely.
Will this be just another story swept under the rug of cultural accommodation? Or will it mark a turning point in how domestic violence is confronted in Kaduna State’s judicial and religious institutions?
What is clear is that Zainab has broken the silence. And in doing so, she may have opened a pathway for others to seek justice where silence once reigned.