By CISA
LAGOS, JULY 10, 2020 (CISA)-Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos has expressed concern over a surge of rape related cases in Nigeria terming it as “appalling and reprehensible.”
“Rape deeply wounds the respect, freedom, physical and moral integrity of the victim. It causes grave damage to the victim, sometimes for life. Rape is an intrinsically evil act that is even more grave and condemnable when inflicted on children either by parents (incest) or those who exercise any form of authority over them especially those responsible for their education,” Vatican news reported him to have said on July 9.
“The Holy Scriptures and the Church downs through the ages have condemned all sexual perversion including rape,” the archbishop said, stressing on the need for urgent steps to address the evil of rape in the society.
Further, Archbishop Adewale called on the Nigeria Police to ensure justice for victims of rape. He appealed to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s), health workers and relevant professional bodies to offer care and necessary counselling to victims.
“The National Assembly too must find ways of ensuring that all states in the country domesticate the Child Rights Act in order to give full legal protection and guard against the abuse of children,” he added.
According to records by Nigerian Police, 717 rape cases were reported between January and May 2020. The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has invited Nigerians to join efforts to tackle rape and other sexual related offences by reporting cases promptly to enable the police to apprehend the suspects.
