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Rape is a state, not a family issue in Nigeria. This is what the police told me when I visited the Family Support Unit building at Sango Ota Area Police Command in Ogun State, Friday, October 16, this year.
Off course, I know this is true. But, in Nigeria with about 80million of the estimated 203million people living below the poverty line and all sorts of cultures and customs, how many people know this? Your guess is as good as mine.
Truth is that rapists seem to be on rampage across states in our beloved country and the police are choked-up, ill-equipped, underfunded, and poorly motivated by the federal government to tackle rape, defilement, child abuses, sexual violence, headlong.
In Ogun state for instance, June this year, Dapo Abiodun, governor of the state told the world that his state will be ruthless with rape cases.
Abiodun dropped this cherry news when Bamidele Abiodun, his wife led an anti-sexual and gender-based rally led to his office at Oke Mosan in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
The governor assured that cases related to violence and rape could be fast-tracked by public prosecution team and offenders brought to book.
Five months down the line, Monday Agbonikan, an assistant commissioner of police and commander for sango ota police command with permission, support and approval from Edward Awolowo Ajogun, the state police commissioner, has erected a family support unit building for the police in his command.
The building, from my findings is about 80% percent functional and Bamidele Abiodun, wife of Dapo Dapo Abiodun, governor of the state. Kabiyesi of Sango Ota, as well as the chairman of Ado-Ota local government area, have been supportive of the project.
It is due to be officially commissioned October this year, even as work has commenced on the serious business by the police of cleaning up Sango Ota of rapists and other criminals.
Also speaking, Yemisi Alli-Yaunaduo, officer-in-charge said in the last one month, a man, who raped a 6-year-old girl and the father of the girl tried to bury the case under the guise of being a family issue, is now cooling his feet at one of the correctional centers in the state.
Justice was also brought of bear in some rape cases where victims were traced to Ijebu Ode, Akute, Ifo, Lagos, etc.
The Sango police command FSU, has a well-equipped interrogation room, reception, offices, conveniences, marked toys, etc.
Truth is that the police officers attached to the unit are spending their money for logistics and welfare for the victims and the suspects for now. So, non-governmental organizations as well as other public spirited individuals should come to the aid of the police at Sango Ota command with vehicles, financial and other supports to do the job.
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Source by Emmanuel Udom