Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has disclosed that the man accused of assaulting an 18-year-old woman in a viral abuse video is now in police custody, while revealing that preliminary findings suggest the young woman was taken away from her father as a child and that he was unaware of any alleged marriage involving her.
Gwamnishu shared the update on Instagram on Tuesday, following widespread outrage over a disturbing video showing the young woman, identified as Chisom, with visible facial injuries allegedly inflicted by the suspect.
According to the activist, initial investigations indicate that Chisom was only 15 years old when her relationship with the man reportedly began.
“Preliminary findings indicate that Chisom was only 15 years old when the relationship between her and the man reportedly began,” he stated.
Gwamnishu explained that he nearly abandoned plans to pursue the suspect after Chisom pleaded with him not to have the man arrested. However, he said he decided to involve members of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation in Lagos to ensure a proper investigation.
“Yesterday, while she pleaded with us not to arrest the man claiming to be her husband, I almost backed down. However, something in me said, ‘Harrison, involve your Lagos team,’” he said.
He disclosed that the suspect was subsequently handed over to the Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters, where his statement was obtained before he was detained. Police officers also visited Chisom at the hospital where she is receiving treatment.
“The suspect was handed over to Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters, his statement was obtained, he was detained, and officers also visited Chisom at the hospital,” Gwamnishu said.
The activist further revealed that he was contacted by a relative of Chisom’s father, who claimed that the young woman and her siblings were taken away by members of their late mother’s family after her mother died when she was seven years old.
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According to the account, Chisom’s father became depressed following the loss of his wife and the separation from his children.
Family members reportedly had no contact with Chisom and two of her siblings until the abuse video surfaced online.
“They also stated that he was never aware of any marriage involving Chisom and the man now claiming to be her husband,” Gwamnishu added.
He stressed that the organisation would continue to support the young woman, describing her situation as unusual and noting that she remains deeply traumatised by her experiences.
“Why we cannot abandon 18-year-old Chisom. Her case is unusual, and she is deeply traumatised.
Despite everything she has been through, she still needs support, protection, and understanding,” he said.
Gwamnishu added that the organisation’s Lagos State Director, Nta Amarachi Judith, is actively monitoring the case while awaiting the outcome of the ongoing police investigation.