"I GOT MARRIED IN 2019, BUT THE MARRIAGE WAS NOT A HAPPY ONE. MY HUSBAND TURNED ME INTO A SLAVE"

"I got married in 2019, but the marriage was not a happy one. My husband turned me into a slave;beating me whenever and wherever he wanted. He'd throw me out of the house and travel, not caring about my safety. Even at night, he'd still throw me out and I'd stay outside till morning.

One fateful day, he locked me up after beating me and wanted to use hot iron on me, but I was able to escape. When he was not around, I came back to pack my things, went back to my family and told them all I had been going through.

My father invited him for them to discuss the issue, but he refused. After much pleading, he finally came and his response was that he has married and paid my bride price, so whenever I get tired of staying in the village, I can rejoin him in the city. 

My people then decided that they wouldn't leave me to die in the name of marriage. They sent a message to him to come take back the bride price he paid. He refused to come until my father died 3 months later.

After my father's burial, he came with a list of what he claimed he did which amounted to about 600,000 thousand naira. On the list were chairs, spoons, disposal plates and other things he had bought for the marriage. My family told him that he's only entitled to the bride price, but he insisted that things must be done his way.Since then, he increases the amount every month. 

Last month, he called to inform us that the amount is now one million , three hundred thousand naira and by the end of this year, it'd go higher.

At this point, I am confused and do not know what to do. I am 26 years old, my elder brother is 29 and he's still serving his boss. We have no one to help us deal with this issue."

— Amaka

Cc | The Humans of Abuja