A CHRISTIAN woman (names withheld) resident in Calabar, Cross River State, has divorced her Muslim husband for naming their new boy-child after Osama bin Laden wanted for the September 11 attacks in the United States.

Vanguard gathered that, the couple residing at Bogobiri area (a predominantly Muslim settlement) had a new child on December 27, 2001 in their one bedroom apartment in the area.

Trouble, however, started when the man who does not want his name in print, decided to name his new child after the fugitive, suspected to be the mastermind of the terrorists attacks on the WTC and Pentagon in US.

Angered by her husband's obnoxious decision, the woman, it was learnt, protested to no avail and subsequently packed out of her husband's house along with the child and is currently taking refuge in one of her relation's residence.

Speaking to Vanguard, the mother of two (boys) said the husband started nursing the idea of naming their child (if a boy) after the Saudi-born Islamic extremist, just a few weeks before the baby boy was born.

She said she vehemently opposed the name even before the child was born, suggesting instead to her husband to think of a name of other Islamic heroes such as Yaser Arafat, Farakhan and any other "granted that the child becomes a man when born."

"But the man remained adamant and I kept wishing secretly that I give birth to a girl instead, rather than a boy as I was equally bent on not having a child named after a criminal with a natural inclination towards shedding innocent blood".

She then told Vanguard that her man made good his promise after the birth of the child "when he started telling those who visited us that the child's name is that monster called Osama bin Laden," stating that she would not return to the man's house until he changes his mind and "promise to me that he has done that by undertaking a naming ceremony in my relation's house with a new name."

When Vanguard visited the father of the child, the following encounter ensured:

Good morning friend, my name is George, congratulations on the birth of your new child.

Yes, Good morning and thank you very much but the baby and the mother are missing from this house.

Oh! It's a pity, what happened, how could your wife and child be missing just like that; could you explain the circumstances surrounding this please?

But first of all, my friend, who are you?

I told you, my name is George, George Onah and I am a journalist with the Vanguard Newspaper and based in Calabar.

(Changes mood) journalist! Why don't you people ever mind your businesses?

Why do you journalists always poke your noses in other peoples problem? You say your name is George wetin, wetin. How many times have you written to condemn the killings of Muslim Palestinians by the Israelis. Why have...

(cuts in) we are not discussing Israel and Palestinians, we are discussing a simple family matter which is about the disappearance of your wife and baby. Have you reported to the police yet and what ...

(cuts in) look Mr. Journalist, we must discuss that and religion. For your information, the name of my child is Osama bin Laden, he is a hero who has taught America a lesson of their lives.

What informed your choosing that name for your new child who is innocent of the happenings in the world right now? Don't you think you are putting the child in complex position in life, especially...?

(cuts in) it is none of your business, why did your own father name you George. Walahi! That is the name of my child, if the mother likes let her vanish from Calabar.