In 2018, the story of Ochanya Ogbanje, a 13-year-old girl from Benue State, Nigeria, shook the nation to its core. Her death was not just another tragic headline; it became a symbol of Nigeria’s fight against child abuse and sexual violence.
Ochanya was a bright, cheerful student who had dreams of becoming a nurse one day. At just 13, she should have been in school, learning and growing in peace. Instead, she became a victim of years of sexual abuse at the hands of her guardians — Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at Benue State Polytechnic, and his son, Victor Ogbuja.
According to reports, the abuse started when Ochanya was just eight years old. The repeated assaults led to severe health complications, including Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), which eventually claimed her life in October 2018.
When news of Ochanya’s death broke, Nigerians across social media platforms demanded justice. The hashtag #JusticeForOchanya trended for weeks, sparking protests, media coverage, and renewed calls for child protection laws to be enforced. The case exposed the deep-rooted issues of silence, impunity, and victim-blaming in cases of sexual abuse.
Activists, women’s rights groups, and legal advocates pressed for accountability, and years later, Andrew Ogbuja was found guilty of rape and sentenced to life imprisonment; a verdict many described as a partial victory for Ochanya’s spirit.
Ochanya’s story goes beyond one family’s tragedy. It highlights a systemic failure that still exists in many parts of Nigeria. Thousands of minors continue to face abuse in silence, either
