A teenage girl, identified as Miss Georgia Miracle, has reportedly been abducted and coerced into converting to Islam in Jambutu, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State.
The situation has sparked outrage, with her mother, Mrs. Haina Miracle, making an emotional appeal for help.
A Mother’s Struggles
Georgia was raised by her mother following the death of her father in 2015, when she was just six years old. As a widow, Mrs. Miracle faced immense difficulties raising her daughter alone.
“Raising Georgia as a single mother has been one of the hardest experiences of my life,” she lamented. “I managed a small restaurant to keep up with her school fees, clothing, food, and medical expenses. Many times, I wept in silence, but I remained strong for my daughter.”
To equip Georgia with vocational skills, Mrs. Miracle enrolled her in a tailoring apprenticeship under a Muslim tailor, Auwal Salihu, who operated near her restaurant. This decision would later play a pivotal role in the troubling turn of events.
Mysterious Disappearance
During the recent Ramadan season, Mrs. Miracle noticed her daughter’s increasing absences. Business had slowed, so she stayed home more and observed Georgia leaving the house frequently and only returning in the evenings. Concerned, she confronted her daughter and ordered her to remain at home until after Ramadan.
However, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, Georgia reportedly left home in frustration and did not return. Three days later, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, Mrs. Miracle received an unexpected visit from Mallam Abubakar Nuhu, the Wakili Mai Jimila of Jambutu. He informed her that Georgia had filed a case in court and that she was required to appear for a hearing on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Courtroom Shock
At the hearing, Magistrate Abubakar Diddat presided over the case. Georgia stated her wish to convert to Islam and marry, a decision her mother strongly opposed. However, when the magistrate referred to Georgia’s initial claim that her mother had beaten her and forcibly kept her at home due to her plans to convert, the teenager hesitated and remained silent. Seeing the inconsistency in her statements, the magistrate dismissed her from the courtroom.
Later, a meeting was convened at the home of Wakili Mai Jimila, where Muslim leaders informed Mrs. Miracle that her daughter had already converted to Islam, arguing that it was her right to choose her religion. Among those present was Gambo Nakuru, who admitted to facilitating Georgia’s conversion, asserting that she had expressed her desire to embrace Islam.
However, Mrs. Miracle insisted that her daughter, being a minor, lacked the legal capacity to make such a decision. She was further alarmed when Hajiya Aisha, the woman reportedly keeping Georgia in custody, claimed that underage conversions and marriages were common and that Georgia would not be an exception. This assertion led to a heated argument, prompting the parties to prepare for further legal proceedings.
Call for Justice
Feeling overwhelmed by the situation, Mrs. Miracle made a desperate plea: “I am a widow and a single mother who has struggled to raise my daughter. I cannot fight this battle alone. Prominent Muslim figures have come together to take my daughter from me and forcefully change her religion. I appeal to people of good conscience to help me seek justice for my child.”
The case has drawn widespread attention, raising concerns about religious coercion, child protection, and legal safeguards for minors in Nigeria.
Public Outcry
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the incident, with Rev. Sunday Jambutu, CAN Coordinator for Jambutu, arguing that Georgia, as a minor, cannot legally make decisions regarding religion and marriage.
“She was missing for two weeks before we were told she had converted to Islam. How can a 16-year-old suddenly change her faith without external influence? What does she truly understand about religion?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Gambo Nakuru denied allegations of coercion, stating, “I was only involved to mediate the dispute. I advised both parties to seek legal resolution, which they have done.”
The case is scheduled for another hearing on Wednesday, with many Nigerians closely watching the developments, as the outcome may set a legal precedent for similar cases in the future.
