A father in Taraba State, Mr. Ishaku Haggai, has been released by the police after his arrest over allegations of brutally beating his 15-year-old daughter, Rachael, on New Year's Day. The incident, which sparked outrage on social media, led to his detention at the GRA Division police station in Jalingo.
The Father's Account of the Incident
Speaking to journalist Jerison Amos on Thursday, January 2nd, 2026, Mr. Haggai provided his side of the story. He stated that on New Year's Eve, December 31st, 2025, he was unwell and did not attend the crossover night vigil. His daughter Rachael went with her mother and siblings.
However, after the vigil, Rachael was nowhere to be found. She eventually returned home around 4 a.m. on January 1st, 2026. Upon questioning, Haggai discovered she had sneaked out to visit her boyfriend. This, he said, prompted him to discipline her with a cane.
A Pattern of Disobedience and Running Away
Mr. Haggai claimed this was not an isolated incident. He revealed that Rachael had a history of associating with boys against his explicit instructions. The father disclosed that Rachael had run away from home twice before, staying with her boyfriend for a full two weeks on one occasion. He said he had to search for her and bring her back home each time.
"I have been warning her that she is too young to have a boyfriend," Haggai explained. He insisted he had consistently counselled her, with others also trying to advise the teenager.
Arrest, Bail, and Aftermath
The situation escalated when, after the flogging, Rachael complained of pain and did not go to church with the family. A neighbour saw her, recorded videos, and posted the content online, making the case go viral.
Later on January 1st, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of GRA Division summoned Haggai. When he explained he was just back from church and could not come immediately, police officers stormed his house and arrested him.
At the station, Haggai narrated his story. With the intervention of a lawyer, he was granted bail and released the same day. The DPO also took time to counsel Rachael before the family returned home together.
Mr. Haggai strongly denied viral rumours that he had disowned his daughter. He clarified that Rachael is his fourth daughter, with three elder sisters and two younger ones, and was with the family at the time of the journalist's visit.
