Despite the signing into law, Yobe state penal code 2018 amendment bill, stipulating life imprisonment for perpetrators of rape, the state response committee on sexual assault has recorded 317 rape cases across six centres in the state.
The chairperson of the committee, Fatsuma Hassan, disclosed this at a one-day public policy dialogue with stakeholders in Damaturu, the state capital.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that one in four girls and one in ten boys in Nigeria had experienced sexual violence before the age of 18. Another survey also shows, over 31.4 per cent of girls had their first sexual encounter through rape or forced sex.
The situation prompted Managing Conflicts in the Northeast, European Union programme in partnership with Yobe state government to establish 6 Sexual Assault Response centres to address gender based violence related issues in the state.
According to the chairperson, “the rape cases are prevalent in Gashua, Potiskum, Nguru Geidam and Damaturu local government councils therefore we are calling on government and groups partnership.
There is slide in increase in the rape cases, however with the establishment of the centres, survivors are now opening up despite the fear of stigmatization” he said.
British Council Team Leader in the state, Sambo Abdulkadir said the dialogue to help the stakeholders in the state to rob minds and find a lasting solution to the problem which is gradually affecting almost every part of the state.
As for the Yobe state Attorney General and the commissioner of justice, Barrister Saleh Samanja, the delay in prosecution were as result of witnesses who will testify in the court of law while as many are afraid of stigmatization.
The dialogue which drew participation of security agents, religious and traditional leaders, civil society groups, judiciary among others admitted there is much to be done to reduce or eliminate the menace.
