The Special Adviser to the Katsina Governor on Girl-Child Education and development, Hajiya Amina Lawal Dauda has advocated for death penalty for perpetrators of child defilement and rapists in the state.
In her remarks at a Women Summit entitled: “Way Out to Rising Rape Cases in Katsina State”. Organized by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in collaboration with Al’ umma Support Initiative, Amina said death punishment was the only solution to the menace in the society.
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Also speaking, the Commissioner, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Umar Yau Gojo-gojo, said the summit was timely in view of the high rate of rape cases in the state.
He advised that similar event should be organised at various local government areas of the state to educate people on the effects of rape and the need to take precautionary measures.
Mr Gojo-gojo also advised people to pray to God to bring an end to the problem.
The Police Command in Katsina through its Police spokesperson, Gambo Isah announced at the meeting that it has arrested no fewer than 287 suspected rapists in 2020, adding that most of the victims of the alleged rapists were between three years of age and 14 years of age.
The police spokesperson said cultism, drug abuse and viewing phonographic pictures and videos by rapists were some of the factors that influenced them to commit rape. He further observed that parental neglect and poor upbringing on the part of the parents also contributed to the high rate of the menace.
Mr Isah however announced that suspects of 236 rape cases reported to the police across the state during the period under review had been charged to courts.
The Child Rights Act adopted by Nigeria in 2003 requires that the well-being of every child be respected and considered paramount and provides that anyone who has sexual intercourse with a child is liable to imprisonment for life upon conviction.
