By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz
Over 1000 people, especially parents and members of civil society organizations (CSOs), Wednesday, took to major roads and streets in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, to protest the ever increasing rate of rape cases in the state.
The placard-carrying protesters laid siege to the State Police Command, State High Courts, and Government House, Yola, where they presented a protest letter against the alarming rate of rape cases with survivors, mostly minors, alleging that in many cases, suspected rapist were being shielded.
Chanting slogans like: ‘’Say No to Rape, ‘’A kama masu fyade,’’ the protesting parents and CSOs canvassed urgent and comprehensive implementation of child protection policies, awareness on rape and how not to fall victim to sex predators, and charged the media to expose rapists, not survivors and victims.
Similarly, the protesters urged governments at all levels to implement the policy on the creation of Special Court For Rape.
One of the protesters’ spokesmen, Mr Yusuf Sunday, who is the Executive Director of Clear-View Integrity Foundation, had told the state governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, that: “Cases of rape are increasing and victims are suffering unnoticed. We feel it’s high time we raised the conscience of the society.
“We say enough is enough. We say justice delayed is justice denied. Adamawa has to move forward with the world against rape.
‘’That is why we are out-NGOs, faith-based organisations, media and well-meaning individuals-to bring our cry before you. Please, rise for Adamawa people.”
Corroborating, another advocate against rape, also leader of the Adamawa Coalition Against Rape, Hajia Asma’u Joda, founder of the Centre for Women and Adolescent Empowerment, and who handed a protest letter to Governor Fintiri, urged the governor to lead by example and do his level best to stamp out rape in the state.
This, Joda added, would enable the judiciary take its cue and dispense timely justice for victims of rape.
I’ll oversee diligent prosecution of rape cases, Fintiri vows
While responding, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri vowed to be personally involved in the fight against rape and rapists by bringing rapists and other sex predators to justice.
The governor said that he had since at least 10 reports of rape since he was sworn on May 29. He vowed to do everything to put a stop to the disturbing malaise.
“I want to assure Nigerians and Adamawa people that I am an advocate against rape,” the governor said, “and I will ensure that this ugly trend is stopped. Since I came into office about three months ago, I have read more than 10 cases of rape in Adamawa State that have raised my concern.
“I have told the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice that whoever is involved in any rape case, we must follow the file and see that we come to the logical conclusion and ensure that justice is done in this state.
“I will ensure I supervise it. I will oversee it personally, to ensure that justice is done to our daughters, especially to children of the masses that are taken for granted. We will ensure that justice prevails against whoever is indicted as rape suspect, no matter how well placed.”