Nigerian to take 'decisive action' against rape, violence against women, girls

11 Juin 2020

Abuja, Nigeria, June 11 (Infosplusgabon) – Nigeria on Wednesday said that with the “embarrassing” rate of rape cases in the country, it has decided to push for the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPPA) to ensure that offenders face deserved punishments for their crimes.

Of the 36 States in the country, only nine have domesticated the VAPPA law.

Also, under the Child Rights Act (CRA), sex with a child is rape and anyone who has sexual intercourse with a child is liable to imprisonment for life, upon conviction.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen said she has presented a memo to the Federal Executive Council on the rape epidemic and the outrage that has greeted the high number and gender-based violence, which have increased with lockdown arising from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

She noted that with the lockdown women and children are locked down with their abusers and the number has escalated three times.

For example, outrage trailed the death of Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 22-year-old Microbiology student of University of Benin, who was raped and killed in an empty church in Benin City. Also, 18-year-old Barakat Bello, who was taking her bath, was raped and killed in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In addition, 14 men in Jigawa State repeatedly raped a minor and in Anambra State alone, no fewer than 80 rape cases were recorded in various parts during the lockdown between April and May.

Mrs Tallen told journalists at the end of the fourth virtual meeting of the FEC, which lasted seven hours, that members were unanimous in their decision.

“There is no State that is an exception. This had reached an embarrassing situation that a memo was presented in Council calling for immediate intervention, legal and prompt dispensation of justice in the cases."

She said there are hundreds of cases within the courts that have not been addressed.

"And out of one case that has been reported, be sure there are 10 others that have not been reported. As a result, we called for aggressive media campaigns, public enlightenment for people to rise up and speak out against abuse of minors and rape cases," Mrs Tallen said.

She said they also called on the judiciary for prompt dispensation of cases and the Police to ensure that rape cases are not treated with levity or wished away.

Mrs. Tallen said that both traditional and religious leaders would be engaged in the battle against rape and other violent acts against women and girls.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/BOL/GABON2020

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