Idara Okokon, a Nigerian woman, has described how, seven years ago, she managed to avoid being r@ped by the father of a childhood friend. 

The University of Uyo alumna, who posted about her experience on Facebook on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, stated that her buddy pushed her to ask her father for assistance in paying the 300 level Language Immersion Program tuition. 

Idara claims that after that, the father dragged his daughter toward his room while she attempted to get away, shut the main door, and sent his daughter on an errand.

Read her story 👇

How I escaped a deadly rape attempt

I remember how my friend’s father asked me to sl€€p with him before he could give me N10,000 to add to my LIP school fees. That incident made me distant myself from them.

For 300 level students studying foreign languages in any Nigerian university, it is mandatory that you travel for a Language Immersion Program outside your university of study. Usually, you’re expected to travel abroad or attend a language institution in your country.

Due to the expensive nature of this program, the University through the department would advise students to reach out to individuals, rich family relatives, NGOs, government parastatals etc for funding and support. A cover letter is usually provided to aid this process.

My case was no different. Before I received my letters, I had written down the names of those I wanted support from and that included my friend’s father.

Myself and his daughter had been friends from childhood so I didn’t hesitate to spill the beans. My friend further encouraged me to take the letter to her father.

On getting to their house, I was warmly received – ate and closed out on our girlie gist before facing the business that took me there. I presented the letter to her dad who began to ask me questions immediately –about my program; why I choose the program, my progress level, my challenges, my future plans and hopes.

Of course, I was more than happy to share because I was prepared to answer questions from prospective sponsors. A young girl needing help was never to be caught unprepared. I dug up my Queen’s English, polished it, and gave it the liberty to thrive. After all, I hadn’t use it so expressively in the last 2 years besides Prof Eyo’s Use of English classes.

Before the question round was over, something happened. I can’t really remember whether the father sent the daughter on an errand or whether she received an urgent call needing her attention somewhere but one of these happened.

She left us at home; myself and her father. The minute she left, the dad changed the subject of the conversation and began to pry into my private life; do you have a boyfriend? who’s your boyfriend? Has he supported you? He went on and on

I was really uncomfortable. He not only asked these questions but left his seat to mine, grabbed my hand to rob it and was coming too close for comfort that I immediately stood up to leave.

Before I could say jack, this man rushed, locked the main door, removed the keys and started dragging me towards his room. I didn’t need a marabout to tell me that I was in trouble. 

I also knew I wasn’t strong enough to fight him so I needed another plan. The plan was: stop struggling, stop begging, follow like a dundee, then find a way to get the key and disappear.

When he saw that I was no longer struggling he suggested we go have the s€x in his daughter’s room that he didn’t want to défilé his matrimonial bed (don’t laugh please)

I let him lead the way while I followed closely behind.

While he was attempting to open the door, my survival instinct grabbed that key, raced to the door before he got to me, the survival adrenaline had hijacked my entire being outside 

The moment I left that house, I disconnected myself from anyone or anything that had to do with their family including my friend. I sha went for this program, came back and graduated and I’m not doing badly 7 years later. To God be the glory 

To all victims of #rape and escapees of near rape situations I see you. May God heal you and restore your self esteem and bring you happiness that you never imagined.