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Months after social media was flooded with calls for justice for Ochanya Ogbanje, public attention on her case has dropped sharply in 2026.
Ochanya, a young girl from Benue State, lived with her uncle in Makurdi so she could attend school. Reports say she was abused for several years while in his care. In 2018, she died from health problems linked to Vesicovaginal Fistula, a condition often connected to sexual abuse. Her death shocked the nation and raised questions about child protection in Nigeria.
The case returned to public attention between October and November 2025, when social media users shared posts demanding justice. During that period, the hashtag #JusticeForOchanya appeared frequently across platforms, attracting the attention of thousands of Nigerians. People shared the story to highlight the dangers of child abuse and the need for stronger protections for children.
AfrikTimes reviewed publicly available social media activity and found that online conversations around the case began to decline in December 2025. By January 2026, mentions of the hashtag had dropped significantly. Posts became less frequent, and public engagement with the topic was much lower than during the peak months.
Despite the initial wave of attention, nothing new has been made public about arrests or court actions in the case. One of the accused, Victor Ogbuja, remains unseen by the public, while the legal status of the case has not been updated publicly.
The decline in online discussion comes after months of heightened public interest. AfrikTimes’ findings show that while public interest has waned, the questions surrounding Ochanya’s death remain unanswered. Her story continues to be a stark reminder of the risks children face and the challenges in ensuring accountability in Nigeria.
