Dr Garba Abari, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has expressed “deep concern” over the rising cases of rape and violence against women in Nigeria.
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Abari, in a statement by Mr Paul Odenyi, the agency’s spokesman, decried the rising spate of rape cases and sexual violence against women, describing the situation as “an evil against humanity” and urging Nigerians to work together to end the trend.
“There is a need for immediate action; urgent action must be taken by parents, teachers, religious leaders and other players responsible for teaching good behaviour.
“Security agents, whose role it is to enforce the laws, must adopt stringent measures to protect the girl child. The problem has spread to all parts of the country. Rape is not just a crime against our culture, but also an offence against morality as preached by all religions.
“I am really disturbed about the situation. Where did we learn all these sexual violence and rape which is going on everywhere now?
“Is it in the Churches or Mosques? Or is it part of our culture? We must do something urgently to stop this problem and save our young ones,” he said.
He urged victims to speak up immediately through relevant bodies and seek medical support so as to overcome their traumatic experience.
Abari ordered state directorates of the agency to inculcate the anti-rape messages within the COVID-19 campaigns in order to educate Nigerians on the dangers of the menace.