Story from Ankeli EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Worried by the increasing incidences of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially rape and sodomy in Sokoto State, the state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Muhammad Saleh Dada has submitted that perpetrators of such despicable acts and those coming for their rescue are mentally retarded.
Mr Muhammad Dada who spoke when members of the Sokoto State Gender-Based Response (GBVR) team paid him a courtesy visit in his office, opined that there should be a stiffer penalty for those engaged in such acts to deter others.
“Perpetrators of GBV, and rape, as well as those coming to rescue them, are mentally retarded. I consider attitudes of GBV very disgusting,” Dada said.
Giving an example of how he was emotionally disturbed when he saw a 64-year-old man raped a 4-year-old, the Sokoto NSCDC Commandant wondered if it’s been done for some metaphysical reasons.
“I cried seeing a 64-year-old man raped a 4-year-old child. Raping seems to have become a habit for some people here. It seems they are using it for voodoo. With all the prostitutes around, useless men senselessly go after minors,” he said.
While noting that he will never compromise cases of rape because he has female children as well, Mr Muhammad Dada gave his total support to the fight against GBV.
“I will never compromise issues of GBV, even if it will cost me my seat.
“Incidence of rape cases in Sokoto is alarming. We record these cases almost on daily basis. Rape and other forms of GBV are those offences that touch emotions.
“Penalties for rape cases in Sokoto are not stiff which is why people engage in it”, Dada lamented.
Speaking earlier before presenting a laptop donated by Spotlight Initiative, through UNICEF, Mr Pius Uwamanua, the Sokoto Child Protection Specialist, alongside members of the state gender-based response team, appealed for more collaboration from all stakeholders towards ending the menace.
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