NDD demands justice for rape victims in Nigeria

Source: The Guardian Nigeria

The Network for Democracy and Development, a Muslim civil society group, has condemned the recent cases of rape of women across Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by NDD’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Wasi Moshood, and its National Coordinator, Tajudeen Alabede, on Monday June 8, 2020.

NDD urged the government to intensify efforts to make sure that the perpetrators of the evil act are brought to book.

“We are particularly worried by the recent upsurge in the crime of rape in Nigeria.

“The statistics released by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team a few days ago was alarming,” the statement reads.

While reacting to the frightening statistics of the number of cases recorded in a period of four months in Lagos State, NDD stated many more cases of rape and domestic violence might go unreported by the victims and their families for fear of stigmatisation and other reasons.

“We are horrified by the direction of the national conversation which in part blames victims of rape for the inhuman, invidious and criminal act.

“There can be no justification for rape under any circumstance. Rape is an act of violence that robs the victim of her dignity and sometimes her future and her life.

“Many living victims of rape live with the attendant mental, physical, emotional and social trauma throughout their lives. This is a violation of the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person which Islam, the Constitution and the universal declaration of human rights protect,” the statement adds.

Attributing the prevalence of the dastardly act to deterioration of value system in the country, the Group called on the government, religious bodies, the traditional institution and women groups to intensify efforts to protect and rehabilitate the victims of rape.

“This is worrisome. We, therefore, call on the government, religious bodies, the traditional institution and women groups to provide leadership in addressing this ugly descent into the abyss as a matter of urgent national importance.

“It is our submission that all organs of government and other critical segments of the society in Nigeria need to do more in their efforts to prevent the incessant cases of rape and other crimes in the society.

“This ominous reality makes the campaign for value re-orientation an urgent national imperative,” the statement continues.

“We wish to remind the government that, as provided in Section 14 (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government.

“To this end, guaranteeing the safety and wellbeing of all citizens, irrespective of their situation and station in life, is the raison d’etre for which government at all levels exists.

“We call on the police and other relevant agencies of the executive arm of government as well as the judicial arm of government to ensure that the offenders are brought to justice.

“Finally, NDD commiserates with the families of Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, Miss Barakat Bello and other victims of rape in Nigeria. May Allah comfort the families and set the nation on the path of rectitude,” the statement concludes.