Delta state Council of Traditional Rulers at the weekend said that rape offenders should be served with strident punishment that will reduce the hue and cry in the upsurge, especially with minors.
The Royal fathers after a 3- hour meeting and deliberation on what they described as “pandemic rape”, they resolved in a four-point Communique to ensure the situation would get the deserved attention including punishment for the Offenders.
Chairman of the Council and Obi of Owa, Obi Emmanuel Efeziomor 11, who among others signed the Communique, a copy of which was made available to our Correspondent, condemned in strong terms the alarming rate of rape cases across the country, insisting that offenders should not be handled with kid gloves
The Monarchs reffered to the recent cases of rape and murder of innocent Nigerians, suggesting that government at all levels should apply maximum weight of the law as deterrent and pledged total supports of the body to fight against the act in its entirety.
READ ALSO: Protesters Storm Lagos, Abuja Over Rising Rape Cases, Sexual Assault Against Women
Part of the Communique reads” while we are calling on the Judiciary and law enforcement agencies to handle the issue of rape with a high sense of Justice, we insist that anyone caught in the dastardly act should face the full weight of the law, we call on government at all levels to come out with more strident measures to curtail the ugly trend”
The Monarchs encouraged rape victims to always speak out and appealed to lawyers and Judges to have human face in handling rape related issues to enable perpetrators and their cohorts get quick judgement to act as deterrent to others, and urged its members to adopt whistle blowing measures to arrest and prosecute drug dealers who sell hard drugs to rapist.
The Monarchs cautioned against stimatization of victims, saying that the menace of rape should be tackled with utmost seriousness and high sense of commitment, while on security, the Royal Fathers expressed total support to all steps so far taken by the state Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Okowa to tackle security challenges, and enjoined him to remain steadfast and focused.
