The House of Representatives Committee on Justice yesterday,
expressed dismay over the manner in which military authorities have
handled the recent alleged rape of women by men of the Nigerian Army.
The rape incident which was first reported by the Federal Radio
Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) on January 14, said a detachment of
soldiers driving in a black Hilux van around Wuse 2 in Abuja, forcefully
took the women labelled “prostitutes” and drove them to a black spot
where they were raped.
A statement issued yesterday by the Chairman, House Committee on
Justice, Hon. Ali Ahmad and made available to LEADERSHIP worried that
several days after the alleged rape and after the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) specifically urged Chief of Army Staff,
Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika, to investigate the rape
allegation, nothing has been heard regarding involvement of the army
personnel or what the authorities are doing in this regard.
Ahmad disclosed that “in a matter of weeks”, the House of Representatives will pass
the Violence Against Persons Bill, which fortifies our laws of rape,
defilement , sexual harassment and other gender-based attacks.
The statement read
in part, “The Committee wishes to make it clear that the usual tactics
of long silence or undue delay by government officials as a response to
allegations is completely unacceptable in this matter. Even if they are
still investigating, the authorities must tell the public whether and
how many of their men were involved, and what action they have taken.
“The Army authorities and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command,
owe the people of this country an explanation one way or the other and
the National Assembly will continue to follow this matter until those
involved are held accountable.
“Undoubtedly, Nigeria prides itself as a constitutional democracy and
the essence of human rights provisions is to serve as bulwark for
citizens against power-drunk government officials.
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