In the early hours of July 3rd, much of the Nigerian millennial Twittersphere flooded with female users sharing incidences of sexual assault and rape perpetrated on them, what was different this time was that it signaled an air of action and conviction. Government names were called, usernames mentioned from personal accounts, risking all forms of responses positive and negative in the hope of getting their truths out.
Many used the opportunity to finally listen to these stories with an empathetic heart and applaud the bravery of these women; many also took to discrediting their stories, but I believe this is a smokescreen within a grander win for Nigerian society in the vein of more women feeling safe or free enough to expose their assaulters so we do not foster a culture of sexual abuse and silence.
Another thing that causes distress is that the heinous acts recounted in these stories are not farfetched in our society, in a perfect world, with their degree of vileness they should be, but this is neither a perfect world nor a perfect Nigeria.
Here are some of the highlights across the spectrum of this vehement discourse;
No one wants to say it but there was a year that some twin entertainers in Abuja were accused of gang rape… I’ve heard several stories of the same people. I’d like to beg victims, if there are any, to come out. It’s time. DM me if you want to. We are here for you.
— sanaa (@sessi_K) July 3, 2018
SAME BOYS!! pic.twitter.com/EBzTRWgjvy
— sanaa (@sessi_K) July 3, 2018
Alamin Uwais. I know several people on my tl that know him. I know you guys by name because I went to school with You. You lot should not be quiet. Call. Him. Out. pic.twitter.com/KOBLLyyEHL
— sanaa (@sessi_K) July 3, 2018
I’m not doing this for leisure… believe it or not, I have a life and a whole ass business to run. pic.twitter.com/zCyY0iKNjA
— sanaa (@sessi_K) July 3, 2018
There’s 4 girls telling me different scenarios of how you have purposely gotten drunk and VANISHED to allow them get raped. Feel free to do “this” wherever you see me. You are also havil’s best friend so boom. pic.twitter.com/9ExWthtdcZ
— N (@KhaleesiNU) July 3, 2018
I’m just so happy it’s a younger gen that’s spearheading this topic, go girls! So that the generation after you will be bolder and more fierce & definitely not ready to accept any bs from no man
— àtómé (@Tomisin_Akins) July 3, 2018
This past week I’ve literally been thinking about how secondary school in Lagos was a NIGHTMARE in regards to sexual assault ://
— Moyo (@yungsenketsu) July 2, 2018
Women have to live in constant fear of their bodies being violated and their boundaries being ignored and disrespected. Enough is enough.
— Queen Fayoscosco (@fayoscosco) July 2, 2018
Actually super proud of these young ‘uns. Expose every single one of these creeps. Ban them from all events this summer and going forward too. Some of these stories are sickening
— Neo-Yoruba Daddy (@TheHeadphones91) July 3, 2018
Calling out your rapist/assaulted doesn’t give you clout. Are you fucking mad? In this Nigeria?
Calling out your abuser comes with stigma and shame so everyone coming out to talk is SO FUCKING BRAVE. And we are here for you and we love you and you are not at fault— fiyinskosko (@fiyinskosko) July 3, 2018
YES. please boys do not be afraid to share your stories, we will stand by you and comfort you like we did for our sisters. https://t.co/rAgmmY8D1e
— Natsumè🦄 (@jemimah_og) July 3, 2018
I hope one day we get to talk about creatives that will refuse to work with you or give you your work because you refused to be sexually involved with them.
— efe can sing. (@EfeOraka) July 3, 2018
An even younger generation of Nigerian women (15-23) are currently speaking up and openly naming their rapists, sex attackers and sex predators most of whom are in same age bracket and school mates.
This is great.
In a lawless patronage system, shame is a useful tool.
— Funmi Iyanda (@Funmilola) July 3, 2018
For anyone who wants to take their cases forward to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team: pic.twitter.com/Lp0MoVlP9n
— Laila Johnson-Salami (@ljsonline_) July 3, 2018
we need to have a national conversation about this
women of all states of nigeria, we are here to listen to you
yor experiences might have made you mute but speak out when you can— verse writer (@LanaireA) July 3, 2018
can i add that this goes for guys & girls. girls need to stop coercing guys to do things/touching them inappropriately because they’re guys and are meant to like it. no means no applies to guys too 🔊 https://t.co/TgzfkIYiaI
— moré 🦋 (@morewa_fa) July 3, 2018
I don’t want stories that took so much courage to share to be just gist to y’all, if they out your friend he is sick and needs help take out time to properly educate them on consent, some of them are mad and relentless help them or the people they abused seek professional help.
— basquiat’s 🌈 (@digitalgyal) July 3, 2018
Progressing in a conscious society, men cannot continue to do stupid shit and expect to live the rest of their lives without consequences for their actions. All society asks, is to live with an honorable level of decency.
