News

Breast Ironing: Traumatic Ways Mothers ‘Protect’ Daughters From Sexual Abuse

Published

2 years ago

July 16, 2023

Recently, officers of the Nigeria Police in Lagos State arrested a man identified as Adegboyega for brutalising his eight-year-old daughter following early signs of puberty.

The victim’s left breast was completely cut off by her father after he reportedly used a hot stone to massage his daughter’s breast to stop it from growing.

Sadly, this is the ordeal many young girls are subjected to by their parents, especially mothers, in an attempt to stop the girls’ breasts from growing so as not to attract men.

Breast ironing is the process whereby young pubescent girls’, usually aged between 9 and 15 years old, are most at risk of this practice.

Breasts are ironed, massaged and/or pounded down through the use of hard or heated objects in order for the breasts to disappear or delay the development of the breasts entirely.

Some of the instruments used in carrying out this barbaric practice include hot stones, hammer, spatulas, head of a broom and many others.

It is believed that many boys and men consider girls, whose breasts have grown, ready to have sex.

So, some parents believe that by carrying out this act, their young daughters would be protected from harassment, rape, abduction and early forced marriage and, therefore, be kept in education.

Findings have shown that parents who indulge in this practice do it with the wrong notion that they are doing their daughters a huge favour by saving them from problems with unimaginable consequences.

Prevalence

Though breast ironing is said to have originated in Cameroon, it is also prevalent in Nigeria and other African countries such as Benin, Ivory Coast Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Togo, Zimbabwe and Guinea-Conakry.

According to the United Nations (UN) data, the practice affects 3.8 million women around the world and has been identified as one of the five under-reported crimes relating to gender-based violence.

Sylvia Chioma, Coordinator of the Girdle Advocacy Projects, whose specialty is to sensitize people on the harms of breast ironing, said the practice is very prevalent in Nigeria.

“It is very rampant”, she said, “but the issue is that it is under-reported or never-reported because it is considered a tradition. Hence, many victims often stomach the pain and remain silent because they have been indoctrinated that the practice is done for their own protection.

“However, unlike what most people believe that it is not a Nigeria-thing, the fact is, it has happened, and still happening in Nigeria. Whenever we talk about breast ironing in our platforms, we see many Nigerian women recounting their experiences.”

Misguided intention

According to her, breast ironing is carried out with the misguided intention of protecting girls from men’s sexual harassment. “I’m always of the opinion that the motive to protect girls in the society is right but the methods or traditions are barbaric and senseless”, she added.

Obianujunwa and Faith, victims of breast ironing, who shared their traumatic experiences with Sunday Vanguard, confirmed that they were told the exercise was for their good.

They also confirmed that their fathers were aware of the exercise but never intervened in any way.

“My case wasn’t exactly ironing because I didn’t deal with a hot object but with the head of a broom”, said Obianujunwa. “My mother used the head of a broom to press my breasts every morning before I leave for school. It was very painful but she said it was for my good. It happened when I was ten years old and in primary six”, she narrated.

Painful experience

“When I was in so much pain, I would constantly hear my mum say it was for my good and it was for my breast not to be too voluminous because, according to her, ten years is an early age to start growing breasts. Till this date, I have not had an experience that was as painful as that and I don’t even know how to equate it. It was very painful. The girls can relate a bit, you know, when a girl starts growing breasts, it is normally painful, now, imagine someone forcefully pressing a hard object there?

On whether her father was aware of her predicament, she answered in affirmative. “Yes, he was very much aware of it but trust me, they were doing what they thought was the best for me. So the intention wasn’t to maltreat me and I really don’t resent them. I am just grateful that they realized on time and that my younger ones didn’t go through the same procedure”, she replied.

For Faith, it was her aunt who ironed her breasts. “Mine was a different technique, more like using hot water to massage a swollen area. I was about nine years old and it was my aunt that did it. She told me it was to reduce the breasts so they don’t get too big as I grow up. I think my father was aware but he didn’t say anything”, she stated.

But Aisha, resident in Abuja, was alarmed that some people still subject innocent girls to this cruel practice. “Growing up, I had a couple of schoolmates and friends whose mothers did this to them mostly during puberty. I just don’t want to believe that some people still practice this”, she stated.

More problems than solutions

Many parents are often unaware of the many negative health and psychological consequences of breast ironing. Experts say breast ironing is very harmful. According to a medical practitioner and Chairman of JOFA Global Foundation, a charity, Dr. Obinna Oke, breasts ironing exposes girls to numerous health problems such as cancer, abscesses, itching, discharge of milk, cysts, breast infections and tissue damage among many others.

Aside from the health risks, the practice seriously damages a child’s physical integrity; social and psychological well-being. Most of the victims have been reported to suffer from depression, low self-esteem, etc.

Dashed Dreams

“It affected me mentally”, Obianujunwa revealed. “My breasts have never been like a normal person’s own from a very young age. My breasts never grew perky; people always make remarks about my breasts. Growing up as a child, I wasn’t promiscuous but everyone complained my breasts were fallen. I cried for days, although then I didn’t know the cause for it”, she told Sunday Vanguard.

“I was so insecure about my breasts, and it really affected my self-confidence but I finally got to accept it. As a child, I always wanted to be a model but I haven’t had the confidence to brace the world with it yet because I have never seen a model with breasts like mine. No child should go through that much pain.”

Also, Ola, whose wife was a victim of breast ironing, noted that he did not believe his spouse when she shared her experience with him.

“I thought she was telling lies when she told me her story. My wife is very beautiful, with curves but always wants to make love at night with the light off and always feels insecure. She experiences pains during breastfeeding and the milk doesn’t flow properly. This is pure evil”, he said.

Does breast ironing stop young girls from being sexually molested or prevent unwanted pregnancy? “No”, answered Chioma. “Ironing the breast does not really safeguard the female minors that are subjected to it because we have heard and seen cases of men who raped babies and girls below seven years old – would you say their ‘flat chest’ lured men to them?” she said.

“The emphasis”, the activist explained, “should be on enlightening boys and men to not rape or sexually abuse or violate girls or women. Imagine what a girl-child goes through all because of some men who can’t control themselves. I think parents should focus on training their boy-child well. We should hold the bull by its horn by holding men accountable for sexual abuse instead of blaming girls or their bodies for it.”

Tackling the Scourge

What kinds of support do the victims need? The Girdle Advocacy Coordinator suggested a more penetrative and convincing approach to curb the ugly trend.

“The main key is education. I suggest the next generation of mothers who are girls today, be comprehensively taught about their rights and how their bodies work and what shouldn’t be done to their bodies in the guise of safeguarding them”, Chioma said.

“This is not to say I’ve lost hope in this generation of mothers; as for them, we should hit more on community sensitization and awareness, enlightening, not condemning, on the consequences of breast ironing and other harmful traditional practices on girls and women.

“As an NGO, our specialty is to sensitize people on the harms of breast ironing but when it comes to the therapeutic angle, this is where the health workers and professionals come in. Medical practitioners, the WHO, government bodies and other stakeholders should be organizing health talks and outreach to people especially those in rural communities, teaching them about this early and rapid growth that occurs in these teenagers.

“I think they should lead the charge because people tend to believe and listen to them more than advocates”.

Similarly, Obianujunwa called for an increase in sensitisation and awareness programmes. According to her, this would bring closure to victims. “Until recently, I didn’t realize the dangers that practice caused me. I didn’t even know it was the reason why my breasts turned the way they did and having this discussion gave me closure and the answers to my many questions”, the survivor said.

“I know there are people like me out there who felt the same way as I did and need answers too. The awareness would also make the mothers know the implications of what they are doing and wouldn’t subject their kids to that much pain”.

Enabling Law

In Nigeria, there is no specific law concerning breast ironing; however, because it is classified as physical abuse, offenders are prosecuted under existing laws that protect the rights of women and girls. Section 360 of the Criminal Code states: “Any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults a woman or girl is guilty of misdemeanor and is liable to imprisonment for two years.”

More so, Section 5, Subsection 1 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015, states: “A person who willfully or knowingly places a person in fear of physical injury commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding 200,000 naira or both.”

Meanwhile, states are not left out in the fight against abuse of the girl-child. For example, 34 of the 36 states of the federation have fully domesticated the Child Rights Act, a law that deals with issues of child abuse, child labour and forced marriage, among others, in the country.

Recall that Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act to domesticate the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2003. The Children’s Rights Act of 2003 expands the human rights bestowed to citizens in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) to children. Although this law was passed at the federal level, it is only effective if State Assemblies also codify it.

Though government has enough laws that protect the girl-child, there is a need to review some of the laws to reflect breast ironing as a form of gender-based violence. Government should also step up the implementation of these laws to ensure that abusers are diligently prosecuted.
VANGUARD

News

FULL TEXT: Gen Musa’s Inaugural Speech As Defence Minister

Published

23 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

Newly appointed Defence Minister, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), on Friday, delivered his inaugural speech as he assumed office, pledging to end the shedding of innocent blood and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

Here is the full speech:

FULL SPEECH: ADDRESS BY GENERAL CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA (RTD), ON HIS ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE AS MINISTER OF DEFENCE.

December 5, 2025

It is with profound humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you today in my new capacity as the Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Six weeks ago, I was in Kaki. Now, I am coming as the Minister. It can only be God. I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the trust and confidence you have shown in me.

I take that very seriously. For me, it is indeed a privilege and an honour, after serving 39 years in service, to come in and now be the Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The love Nigerians have shown us reflects that people believe we can turn the tide.

But it is not rhetoric. It is by action. We must, firstly as Nigerians, take ownership of the responsibilities and challenges we face in our country.

It is only us who can solve the problem. It is when we agree within ourselves that we can deal with this, that we will succeed. God is with us, and He has always given us the responsibility to succeed.

This responsibility is one I accept with solemn reverence and unwavering commitment to the safety and security of our great nation, Nigeria. Let me also acknowledge the dedicated leadership of my predecessor and the relentless efforts of every one of you in this room.

When I was the Chief of Defence Staff, you gave me all the support, and I truly appreciate it. I want to assure you that coming back as Minister, we want to do more for your welfare, well-being, and the administration of the Ministry. I strongly believe in reward and accountability. You do well, you are rewarded. We take corrective measures to ensure we succeed. I don’t believe in “na so we dey do am.”

We must assess everything that we are doing and see whether we can improve it. I believe in fostering a positive workforce. We are going to listen to your challenges, and whatever we can do to address them, we will. But I count on you also to put in your best. You know your task ahead. You don’t have to wait until somebody calls you or asks you a question. Do what you are supposed to do, and that will make it easier for us as a nation.

The task of securing the nation is continuous, and I am aware that you have been holding the line with dedication. I commend you all. For decades, my life has been defined by uniform, by the ethos of service, and by sacred covenants to defend the territorial integrity and citizens of Nigeria. I therefore come to this role not as a stranger to our security challenges, but as a comrade who has been in the trenches both literally and figuratively. I’ve seen firsthand the bravery of our troops, the complexity of our threats, and the role of strategic coordination. Like I always say, no single individual can achieve this alone. No single service operator can do it. We must work as Nigerians, making Nigeria better.

Consequently, my core philosophy in ensuring the affairs of this ministry is simple: operational effectiveness through unified action and strategic foresight. Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot afford to operate in silos.

We cannot tolerate gaps between policy and execution, or between the ministry and the services. This ministry will be a powerhouse of strategic direction, enabling support, and relentless accountability. We must provide that support for our troops to continue to succeed. They are sacrificing their lives out there in the field—day and night, thunderstorm or windstorm—whatever the situation, to ensure that we, Nigerians, can go to bed and sleep well. We must continue to pray for them. We must continue to provide the necessary support.

Working as a team with other MDAs, Mr. President has made it very clear he will give us all the support we require and demands that we achieve success, which we have promised him. Within the first few weeks, we must show that we are committed: the ministry working inside, the troops working outside.

To translate this philosophy into action, my initial focus will rest on three interconnected pillars: enhancing joint operational strategy synergy. We will immediately begin a rigorous review of all theatre commands and inter-service operations. My door will be open, as always, to the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for frank discussions on equipment, training, welfare, and strategy. Mr. President wants us to present our challenges, with the promise that they will be addressed. So it is left for us to do the needful.
Our goal is to overwhelm the adversaries with seamless jointness, not just cognition.

Welfare and Morale as a Force Multiplier

We all understand the importance of morale to our personnel and staff. We must therefore prioritise the timely provision of all necessary kits, ensure prompt payment of operational allowances, and vigorously address accommodation and medical care for our personnel and their families. Those not injured are watching how we treat the injured. If they are not taken care of properly, they will not give their best, because they will be apprehensive. Especially those who have lost their loved ones—the families want to know what will happen.

It is our responsibility to take care of them. The aspect of actions that impugn their integrity is not acceptable. We must make payments seamless. We must treat them with respect. Anybody who is laying down their life for their country deserves the highest respect, and that is what we offer. I will be very critical about that.

Intelligence-Driven and Technology-Enabled Defence

The Ministry of Defence is the strategic brain of our national defence architecture. We must therefore leverage technology for intelligence, surveillance, and recurring service. We have partners and allies ready to support us. We will reach out to them to work as a team. We will also collaborate with other security agencies. Every Nigerian is vital to the success of Nigeria. We will foster a culture where data and intelligence drive our decisions, not just experience alone. I charge the Ministry to be a catalyst for innovation and efficient resource management.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I expect the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and urgency from all of us. We do not have time to waste. We will continue to hit the ground running. We must respect the human rights of Nigerians. If we make mistakes, we must take necessary action to make amends. I will always encourage candid advice and robust debates. But once a decision is taken, we must move as one united team.

There will be zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline, or indolence. Our loyalty is to Nigeria and the Nigerian people. The President is the Commander-in-Chief; the bulk stops on his table. We must provide the support required to make Nigeria peaceful.

Shedding of innocent blood is over. Our children should go back to school. Our farmers should go back to their farms. Most of the challenges we face are not military solutions—they are issues of good governance, justice, equity, and fairness, which we will encourage. Both non-kinetic and kinetic solutions must work hand in hand. We cannot afford to fail Nigerians. Charity begins at home; if we have the mindset that we will succeed, we will.

To the Service Chiefs, I offer my full support and expect your utmost cooperation to move the Armed Forces to greater heights. To the Department Secretary and the Civil Service cadre, you are the institutional memory and the framework for our sustainability. I value your expertise and count on your diligence to translate our military objectives into actionable administrative and budgetary policies.

The road ahead is demanding and will be tough. Let us not take it for granted. But because we are Nigerians, we shall overcome. The threats we face are adaptive and complex, but I have absolute faith in the indomitable spirit of our Armed Forces and the capable minds within the Ministry. With the support and prayers we are receiving from all Nigerians, we cannot fail.

In closing, let me once again reaffirm my commitment to lead with fairness, firmness, and loyalty to our Constitution. The President is doing everything possible to ensure our success. We must play our part. The task ahead is enormous, but surmountable. We can win. We will win. The good people of Nigeria are looking up to us for results, and we must deliver immediately. I am not here to preside; I am here to lead, to walk, and to deliver alongside you. I cannot do it alone. I thank you all as I look forward to our detailed work and the tasks ahead.

God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.

— General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd)
Minister of Defence, Federal Republic of Nigeria

News

Malami Breaks Silence On Alleged Terrorism Financing

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has broken his silence on allegations linking him to terrorism financing, dismissing the claims as baseless, misleading and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Friday, Malami said he was compelled to respond after a publication suggested that he and several others had connections to persons described as terror suspects or alleged financiers.

Malami described the claims as “unfounded, unfair and contrary to both my record in public office and objective facts.”

The former minister stressed that he had never been accused, invited, interrogated or investigated by any security, law-enforcement or intelligence agency within or outside Nigeria for terrorism financing or any related offence.

He said: “I state clearly and unequivocally that I have never at any time been accused, invited, interrogated, investigated or charged by any security, law-enforcement, regulatory or intelligence agency—within or outside Nigeria—in respect of terrorism financing or any related offence.”

Malami noted that even the retired military officer cited as the principal source of the publication admitted that he did not accuse Malami or the other individuals of financing terrorism, but merely referenced vague “business” or “institutional” connections allegedly linked to some suspects.

He said the publication misrepresented this clarification and was politically exploited to create damaging insinuations about him.

Malami warned that normal professional or institutional engagements must not be misconstrued as evidence of supporting terrorism.

“To suggest that lawful professional or institutional engagements can be read as evidence of terrorism financing is both mischievous and unjust,” he said.

Highlighting his record, Malami listed several anti–money laundering and counter-terrorism reforms spearheaded during his tenure, including:

Establishment of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as an independent entity

Enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022

Enactment of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022

He noted that improved inter-agency coordination under these laws contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

“During my tenure, I worked to strengthen—not weaken—Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” he said.

Malami urged the media to exercise caution when reporting on sensitive national security issues, warning that careless publications can damage reputations and undermine confidence in state institutions.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and Nigeria’s international obligations, adding that he reserves the right to seek redress against any publication that misrepresents his role in the fight against terrorism financing.

News

Otuaro Pledges To Expand PAP Scholarship As Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has expressed his unwavering commitment to expanding the PAP scholarship scheme.

The PAP boss made the pledge at a graduation reception for nine students who were awarded foreign post-graduate scholarships by PAP in universities in the United Kingdom.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, said the successful scholars are the first graduates in the offshore post-graduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic session.

According to the statement, they graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, University of Dundee and The University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.

Otuaro disclosed in the statement that 711 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.

According to Otuaro, the expansion of the scholarship scheme is aimed at creating more opportunities for indigent students of Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.

Otuaro said it was for this reason he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session with 200 for foreign scholarships.

He said under his administration, 7700 students have been so far deployed for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.

According to him, aince he took over, he has deployed 162 students from the region for post-graduate programmes in targeted disciplines in the UK universities.

According to him, this is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.

The PAP boss said, “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.

“We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”

Otuaro, who congratulated the master’s graduates on their successful graduation, stressed that they completed their programmes in record time which shows the seriousness they had put into their studies.

He said they have justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.

“We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or post-graduate level”, Otuaro said.