NGO Protests Rape Menace, Frowns At Community Settlement Of Cases

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Perturbed by the rising Incidents of rape in Nigeria, members of a Non-Governmental Organization, Global Girls Network on Thursday took to the streets of Osogbo, the state capital of Osun to protest against the incessant menace of rape and other abuse on girl child in the country.

CityMirrorNews reports that members of GGN converged at Salvation Army Middle school, Alekuwodo, Osogbo by 9:00 AM and match to a popular junction, Ola-Iya.

They were accompanied by officers of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, to maintain law and order.

The protesters were carrying placards with inscriptions such as: “Don’t look away, report and act against rape”, “Her body is her right”, ” Don’t let a rapist go free”, “No women are safe until we are all safe” and many others.

The group leader, Ms Ibikunle Itunuoluwa, while addressing journalists noted that they have received a lot of cases of rape that has been settled by community leaders and something must be done to discourage that.

She lamented that it is worrisome that victims of rape now lived in the same community even compound with those that violated them as a result of settlement initiated by the community leaders.

She also alleged security agencies of concealing perpetrators of rape by not dragging them before the court for justice to be done.

Her words: “We want the state government to take action against rape and also our community leaders when issues of rape are reported to them, they should not settle it but bring out the perpetrators. To end rape, it required a collective effort.

“We have received a lot of cases in Osun State. Recently, there was the issue of a traditional ruler and son raped a minor, they have been granted bail. We are saying no to community settlement of rape cases. We have gotten a lot of cases of community settlement and it has left the victims in perpetual fear because they still see those that violated them every day. Any case of rape should be reported to the police and it must be attended to.

“We are out here to tell the people of Osun State that we are tired of rape, we demand a society where the female is safe. We say no to rape and killings of girls and women.

“We need our government and community leaders to support us at the end of this alien menace in our society.

“Our laws are not effective enough to check the issue of rape, even our law enforcement agencies are not doing enough. Stop raping us. Rape has become a beast in our society that has swallowed many girls and women.