FG vows to tackle gender based violence
The Federal Government has vowed to stem the tide of rape incidence in the country.
This development came on the heel of the increasing spate figures of rape cases which currently stands at 717 within the space five months.
The information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made this announcement on Thursday, in Abuja, when he received officials of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
He said, “According to the Inspector-General of Police, between January and May 2020, a total of 717 rape cases were reported.
“That is an average of 143 cases per month and around five cases per day.
“And we are talking of reported cases. Definitely, there are also hundreds of unreported cases. This is totally unacceptable,” he said.
The minister said 799 suspects were arrested during the said period, while 631 cases were conclusively investigated and charged to court.
“It is said that the true measure of a society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members and that include women and children.
Mohammed revealed that his ministry was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to float a national campaign against rape and gender-based violence.
“The campaign is necessary not only to raise the level of awareness about rape and gender-based violence, but to ensure that Nigerians own the fight against the abhorrent and repulsive criminal acts.
“I have no doubt that when we launch the campaign, the National Human Rights Commission will also join us,” he said.
