WARIF Survivor Stories
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the WARIF Survivor Stories Series, a monthly feature, where stories of survivors of rape and sexual violence are shared to motivate and encourage survivors to speak their truth without the fear of judgment or stigmatization and to educate the public on the sheer magnitude of this problem in our society. The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) is a non-profit organization set up in response to the extremely high incidence of rape, sexual violence, and human trafficking of young girls and women in our society. WARIF is tackling this issue through a holistic approach that covers health, education, and community service initiatives.
WARIF aids survivors of rape and sexual violence through the WARIF Centre – a haven where trained professionals are present full time, 6 days a week including public holidays to offer immediate medical care, forensic medical examinations, psycho-social counseling, and welfare services which include shelter, legal aid, and vocational skills training. These services are provided FREE of charge to any survivor who walks into the Centre.

My name is Edeki, and I am an indigene of Edo State. I’m a 23-year-old lady, and I’d like to share my story with you.
About two years ago, I moved from Benin to Lagos to live with my uncle and his family. My uncle, a kind man, had three teenagers of his own, one of whom had just gained admission to the university. My own dreams of pursuing higher education were put on hold due to financial constraints caused by my father’s job loss and a tragic motor accident that left him paralyzed. My mother, a strong and determined woman, became the family’s breadwinner, and I joined her in our family’s trading business.
A glimmer of hope shone upon us when my uncle volunteered to sponsor my university education on the condition that I moved to Lagos to enroll for lessons and rewrite my JAMB examinations. My mother was elated, believing her prayers had been answered, and she held on to the hope that my siblings would also receive financial assistance to pursue their university dreams.
My uncle, a landlord in a Lagos suburb, owned a building with four flats. He lived in one, while the other apartments were rented out to tenants. As fate would have it, we shared the same borehole and water well, leading me to meet the other tenants, including a man named Udoh. Udoh repeatedly pestered me, expressing his desire to get to know me better and even proposed marriage. I firmly declined, explaining my focus on gaining admission to the university.
One unfortunate day, when my uncle and his family were away visiting his wife’s family, a power outage occurred, and I needed to fetch water from the well. To my dismay, Udoh appeared again, continuing his advances. Despite my refusals, he dragged me into his room when it got dark. He violently assaulted me, disregarding my pleas for him to stop. Overwhelmed with fear and pain, I couldn’t prevent the violation.
After the horrifying incident, I mustered courage and sought help from other tenants who confronted Udoh. Unable to deny his actions, he was reported to the police, leading to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment. The incident left me traumatized and broken, but the supportive neighbors directed me to the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) Centre, where I received medical assessment, treatment, and essential psycho-social counseling – all free of charge. The counseling sessions were lifesaving, helping me heal emotionally and regain my self-worth.
Despite the darkness that enveloped me, I pushed forward with determination. I took my JAMB exams and excelled. I gained admission to the university of my dreams and am currently completing my first year. Through my journey, I’ve learned to thrive academically, socially, and psychologically. My goal now is to succeed, become the best version of myself, and advocate against gender-based violence.
I believe that through sharing my story, I can shed light on the plight of survivors like me and raise awareness about the importance of supporting victims of sexual assault. My dream is to become an advocate for gender equality and work toward a society where no one endures the pain and suffering I experienced. I am determined to make a positive impact and create a world where survivors can find healing, strength, and hope.

-End-
* Real name of survivor changed for confidentiality

Dear survivor, please know that you are not alone, and it is not your fault. Help is available. If you have been raped or know someone who has, please visit us at:
The WARIF Centre
6, Turton Street, off Thorburn Avenue, Sabo, Yaba.
or call our 24-hour confidential helpline on
0800-9210-0009
For questions or more information please contact: [email protected]