According to the law, abortion in Nigeria is illegal and carries a heavy jail sentence–up to 14 years imprisonment–unless it is performed to save the life of the pregnant woman.
So, many have resorted to clandestine methods. Please note that the methods in this article, were gathered from a series of news articles and stories heard of such happenings.
1. D and C
Popularly known as D and C, it means: Dilation and Curettage, a brief surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and a special instrument is used to scrape the uterine lining. D and C is used clandestinely, to carry out abortions illegally in Nigeria. Although it is also used after miscarriages to remove tissue. Many young girls search for doctors, who can carry out the surgical procedure. This sometimes leads to disastrous results, because they usually fall into the hands of quacks.
Popularly known as D and C, it means: Dilation and Curettage, a brief surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and a special instrument is used to scrape the uterine lining. D and C is used clandestinely, to carry out abortions illegally in Nigeria. Although it is also used after miscarriages to remove tissue. Many young girls search for doctors, who can carry out the surgical procedure. This sometimes leads to disastrous results, because they usually fall into the hands of quacks.
2. Dry Gin
While dry gin is legally sold in Nigeria, there exists a proliferation of people who produce illicit gin also. There have been reports of cases, where young girls mix dry gin with some other substance to induce abortion. The most common mixture is dry gin and the common ‘Alabukun’ powder. Alabukun Powder contains the salts Acetylsalicylic Acid and caffeine as active ingredients.It is originally prescribed for the treatment and prevention of blood clots, myocardial infarction and others. But there have been stories, that it has been used as a crude home solution for abortion.
3. Lime
Lime or lemon juice has been proven scientifically to prevent conception, at least in rats. This might be the reason why some also use lime juice to induce abortion. Some have said it works better, if the lime juice is mixed with Alabukun powder as stated above, and the popular 7up carbonated drink. How this crude method works is still a mystery, but it has been spoken in whispers among pregnant teenagers and used by some.
4. Abortion pills
There have also been many talks of pills, used for abortion. One interesting thing about this, is that most pills mentioned in connection with abortion, are pills you can get over the counter, at your local chemist. Yet, they only work for abortions, when they are taken in doses that are dangerous to human health. All the above methods have side effects, and can be dangerous to human health.
