Mrs. Akeredolu declares war on rapists

By Mary Agidi
|
Bothered by the recent incessant cases of rape and defilement of minors in Nigeria, particularly Ondo State, the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has declared war against the incident and vowed to ensure that henceforth, perpetrators will no longer have hidden place.

To this end, Mrs. Akeredolu has convened a stakeholders’ meeting at the Rotunda Hall Government House Ground, Alagbaka to deliberate on how to put an end to the ugly development in the state.

The two cases that served as catalysts for the prompt intervention were the defilement of two girls in Irele and Owo local government areas of the state last week, aged 6 and 7 respectively.

Mrs. Akeredolu who condemned the ugly development in strong terms advocated a medical policy that will allow victims of rape to be tested and treated free of charge noted that most of the victims are vulnerable children whose parents cannot afford the bill.

She expressed her readiness to synergise with the appropriate stakeholders in ensuring that assault against minors, especially rape is eradicated, affirming that the meeting has marked the beginning of the end of the incidents in Ondo state.

Mrs. Akeredolu solicited the cooperation of individuals and security agencies to ensure that rapists get the deserved punishment and for quick dispensation of justice.

At the meeting were the representatives of the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Human Rights Commission, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Women and children-based NGOs, Forum of the wives of State Officials, Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs Titi Adeyemi, female Political officials,  Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation,  BAAF, parents of some victims of sexual harassment among others.

The meeting brought into limelight the newly inaugurated Ondo State Gender-based Violence Response Squad with a commitment to appoint representatives in all the local government areas of the state who will be sending distress call to the concerned authorities in case of minors’ defilement and  rape incidents.