Rape: Niger Considers Death Penalty For Rapists

Niger State government in a bid to deal with sexual assaults which have been described as an epidemic in Nigeria due to recent occurrence considers death penalty for offenders in the state.

The occurrence which has become a disturbing headline in the recent was brought to the forefront of the state’s House of Assembly plenary on Thursday, June 18, Naija News learnt.

It was reported that Hajiya Binta Mamman, Member Representing Gurara Constituency had raised concern over cases of rape reported in the state in recent time. The motion was said to have received the attention of the assembly as it considers a law which allows for the death penalty for offenders of the devilish act, and as well as other sexual assaults in the state.

Naija News understands that there have been rampant cases of rape and other sexual assault on the female genders over the days in Nigeria.

Mamman’s motion again received a second thumb from Alhaji Ahmed Bello, Member Representing Agwarra Constituency.

On his part, the Speaker of the House, Alhaji Abdullahi Wuse, recalled recent cases of rape which involve a UNIBEN undergraduate student, Vera Omozuwa who was reportedly ganged raped and murdered, noting that the Niger State government is against the demonic act and will take decisive measure against offenders.

Also, Abdullahi recalled the cases of an 85-year-old woman that was assaulted by her grandchild and two other girls raped by their father in the state. He urged the Ministry of Women Affairs and the state government to commence sensitisation of residents against the stigmatisation of rape victims.

He said, “the house would set up a committee mandating the state Ministries of Women Affairs and Justice to examine various provision of laws concerning rape and come up with a report.”

Mamman while speaking up against the unlawful act said, “It is pathetic as a mother, it makes one insecure especially when you have children that you have tried to train into the society to become responsible. “It is an alarming issue, indecent dressing should not be used as an excuse for rape.”

“It is alarming and this has become a pandemic. It is not only girls that are victims, young boys are also being raped,” said Mamman

She added that “there was a need to amend the law to provide for death sentence on convicted rape offenders,”

Also, Mamman suggests that law on the prohibition of street hawking by children should be adequately enforced.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has announced the arrest of two men with possession of thirty-six automated teller machines in Minna, the state capital.