A Cry for Justice: The World Must Act Now
In a shocking violation of fundamental human rights and religious freedom, Miss Georgia Miracle, a 16-year-old Christian minor, has been forcibly taken from her widowed mother, Mrs. Haina Miracle, and subjected to what can only be described as a forced Islamisation. This tragic incident, unfolding in Jambutu, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State, under the watch of Wakilin Mai Jimila and the State Magistrate Court, has sent shockwaves through human rights circles and must be condemned by all justice-loving people worldwide.
Georgia Miracle, a vulnerable orphan who lost her father in 2015, has been solely raised by her mother, who toiled through hardships to provide for her. Through sweat and sacrifice, Mrs. Miracle ensured her daughter’s education and well-being despite financial difficulties. To acquire vocational skills, Georgia was enrolled in a tailoring apprenticeship under a Muslim young man, Auwal Salihu. However, reports soon emerged that Georgia was disappearing from the shop and returning home only in the evenings, prompting her mother to put a temporary halt to the apprenticeship.
On March 13, 2025, Georgia left home in frustration and did not return. Two days later, the Wakilin Mai Jimila, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu, informed Mrs. Miracle that she had been summoned to court over a case filed by her own daughter. Shocked and confused, she complied, only to be met with a fabricated narrative.
During the hearing on March 17, 2025, before Magistrate Abubakar Diddat, Georgia was prompted to speak. She declared her desire to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim man. The Magistrate, visibly displeased, questioned the inconsistency in her claims, as the initial report suggested that her mother had beaten and expelled her for wanting to convert. Georgia remained silent, revealing the apparent coercion behind her statements.
Despite her mother’s objections and the Magistrate’s initial skepticism, the case was referred for resolution between Christian and Muslim elders. However, at a meeting on March 19, 2025, the Wakilin Mai Jimila and members of the Adamawa Concern Citizens, a predominantly Muslim group, insisted that Georgia had already converted to Islam, disregarding the fact that she is legally a minor.
A Breach of Constitutional Rights and Religious Freedom
The Nigerian Constitution is unequivocal in its protection of religious freedom. Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution states:
“Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice, and observance.”
This provision guarantees every citizen, including minors, the right to practice their faith without coercion. The forced conversion of Georgia Miracle is not only a direct violation of this constitutional right but also an assault on the principles of justice, religious harmony, and parental authority.
This blatant disregard for religious freedom and parental rights should alarm not only Nigerians but also the international community. Mrs. Haina Miracle is a mother crying out for help as powerful forces seek to strip her of her parental rights and force her daughter into a belief system she did not choose. The actions of the Wakilin Mai Jimila, the State Magistrate Court, and the so-called Adamawa Concern Citizens group are deeply troubling and set a dangerous precedent if left unchecked.
We call upon:
The Nigerian Human Rights Commission to intervene and ensure justice for Mrs. Haina Miracle and her daughter.
The international community, including the United Nations and global human rights organizations, to take note of this grievous violation and exert pressure on Nigerian authorities to uphold constitutional rights.
The Nigerian Judiciary to uphold the rule of law and ensure that minors are not manipulated or coerced into religious conversions against their will.
Religious leaders across Nigeria, both Christian and Muslim, to speak out against forced conversions and work towards religious tolerance and harmony.
This is not just about one mother and her daughter; this is about the fundamental right of every Nigerian to practice their faith without intimidation. It is about ensuring that no parent is ever forced to watch helplessly as their child is taken away under the guise of religion. If Georgia Miracle’s rights can be trampled upon today, then whose child will be next?
The world must rise against this injustice, and justice must be served. Nigeria must uphold the constitutional rights of its citizens, regardless of their religion, gender, or socio-economic status. Mrs. Haina Miracle’s cry for help must not go unanswered. The time for action is now.
PIONEER NEWS 