Aminatu Barrie, who was pregnant, has endured a living nightmare at the hands of her abusive husband. Despite repeated pleas for help, the authorities have turned a blind eye to her plight due to her husband’s powerful connections. Her husband has threatened that whenever he sets eyes on Aminatu Barrie and her son, he will definitely kill both of them.
Since their forced marriage, Aminatu has been subjected to continuous physical and sexual abuse. Her husband frequently beats and molests her in public and deprives her of food and basic necessities. The abuse has continued even during Aminatu’s pregnancy and after the birth of their son.
Eyewitnesses report that the husband has assaulted Aminatou in broad daylight, with no intervention from bystanders. Making matters worse, he has refused to provide any financial support for Aminatu and their child, leaving them in a state of extreme hardship.
Neighbours who have witnessed the abuse have repeatedly alerted the police, but their calls for help have fallen on deaf ears. Aminatu’s husband, it seems, wields significant influence in government circles and has ties to secret societies, rendering the authorities powerless to act.
Aminatu’s case highlights the urgent need for reforms to protect vulnerable women and children from domestic violence, regardless of the perpetrator’s social status or connections. Until the system is held accountable, Aminatu and countless others like her will continue to suffer in silence.
According to close family sources, Aminatu managed to flee Sierra Leone for fear of her life after a series of death threats from her husband. Her whereabouts are still unknown to this day.
