Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, affectionately known as “Uwa”, was a student at the University of Benin in Nigeria. Earlier this week, she was reading inside a Church when she was beaten with a fire extinguisher and raped by police not far from her own home. She died three days later at a hospital.
The country’s latest murder created outrage as thousands speak out against gender-based police brutality in that country. Three in ten Nigerian girls experience physical violence by the time they turn 15, according to a report by the United Nations.
Two days ago Tina was killed by the police, the same police Thats meant to protect her. They wasted her life for nothing. Now Uwa is raped and killed by men who see women as less. Who think women are theirs to do as they wish. What have women done to men?. #JusticeForUwa pic.twitter.com/P3rQnUWdfY
— Renè The Leader ❤️ (@Rene_noire) May 31, 2020
Uwa’s murder comes just days after the deat of Tina Ezekwe, a 16-year-old Nigerian girl who was shot and killed by police.
Few days ago, #JusticeForTina was trending. Today, it is #JusticeForUwa. The Nigerian state must do all to protect our young girls. Their lives matter and any criminal who attacks and ends it brutally must be brought to justice.
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) May 31, 2020