Fate of 12-yr-old whose penis was cut off hangs

THE fate of a 12-year-old boy, whose penis was cut by some yet-to-be identified ritualists at Mararraba Liman Katagum village, Bauchi State, is hanging in the balance, as Muslim clerics have advised against sex change for the boy, even as his parents want a replacement of the organ for their son. The boy, Ayuba Halilu, was, sometimes in July 2011, had his penis cut off, while his assailant also cut his throat in what was believed to be a ritualist attack. Up till date, the assailant, who hadasked the boy to escort him to fetch firewood, is yet to be apprehended by the police. Speaking with journalists in Bauchi, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Sani Abubakar Malami, said based on the report forwarded to the state government by the medical team handling the case at the University of Mai-duguri Teaching Hospital, one of the options given was for the boy to undergo sex change. Halilu, who was initially taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, was transferred to Mai-duguri, following the intervention of the state government to foot his medical bill. According to Dr Malami, after being examined and treated by a team of surgeons headed by a consultant, a medical report was written to his ministry, adding that there was a misunderstanding between the medical team and the boy’s parents. “In fact, there was rancour between the team managing the case and the parents of the child. The advice they gave us was to the effect that there were two options for the child,” the commissioner revealed. He, however, said the governmenthad been advised by the Ulamas against the change of sex for the boy, claiming that such operation was not in consonance with the dictates of Islam. Source: Tribune