Bauchi records 10 cases of rape weekly — NBA Official
By Rauf Oyewole, Bauchi
The Vice Chairperson, Nigerian Bar Association, Bauchi State Branch, Sadiya Saleh, has lamented the high rate of rape of minors, adding that 10 cases are recorded weekly in the State.
Saleh, the Chairperson, Human Rights Committee of the NBA and also Chairperson, Law Officers Association of Nigeria, said that rape cases in Bauchi are among the highest across the 19 northern States and the Federal Capital Territory.
She stated this while speaking on Wednesday with journalists in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, 2024 organised by Attah Sister’s Helping Hands Foundation, Bauchi.
The workshop is on Response Action to Women Peace and Security Pillars (Participation, Prevention, Protection, Relieve and Recovery) as a Means to Promoting Gender Sensitivity in Bauchi State, held at the Executive Nest Hotel.
“The rate of child rape in Bauchi is one of the highest in the north, not in north-east but in the whole north,” she said.
“This is because almost on a weekly basis, we record not less than 10 cases of child rape in the State. The rate is very, very high and this is in children not rape among women generally, but in children below the age of 10.”
Saleh said, “From my experience of being a prosecutor for 10 years now, I have a wealth of experience and I’ve dealt with rape among children, I don’t think I’ve found a single case where an accused person will tell you that they raped a child because they wanted to make money or anything like that.
“I don’t think it is associated with anything like that but I think they are pedophiles, they are just sick people who need help, but it has nothing to do with rituals, based on my experience so far.”
According to her, her committee keep sensitising that stakeholders including, parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, Non-Governmental Organisations and journalists, must be on board to achieve results and reduce the rising menace of rape and other crimes to the barest minimum.
She said that awareness is lacking because many people are not aware of what is happening, the implications of what they are doing and the repercussions, stressing that it is because of that that everyone is needed on board to spread the word.
Saleh said that despite the fact that Bauchi has started implementing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law, rape cases are still on the increase.
“Bauchi has started implementing the VAPP law because we’ve had cases where suspects have been sentenced to life imprisonment for rape cases even without confessional statements, so long as the victim will come to court and confess and identify the perpetrator and say ‘yes, he raped me.’
“I don’t know what is happening that there is a rise in rape cases, that was why I said we need to create more awareness because it’s like the crime is going higher and higher even with the VAPP law and Administration of Criminal Justice Law,” she said.
She attributed the rise in rape to poverty and lack of education because, according to her, some of the victims were either lured or forced while they were hawking.
Also speaking in her presentation on “Safe Spaces for Women and Girls: Promoting human rights,” the Bauchi State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Yahcit Dala said that several efforts have been made over the years to address gender based violence against women and girls especially the creation of the VAPP Law.
“VAPP Law criminalises offenses such as; spousal battery, forceful ejection from home, forced financial dependence, harmful widowhood practices, and other harmful traditional practices.
“VAPP Law makes provision for victims and survivors entitlement to comprehensive medical, psychological, social and legal assistance.
“VAPP Law provides for protection of identities of victims and survivors during court cases,” she said.
