Metro

Edo Ministry Recommends Incarceration For Rapists

Published

5 years ago

June 11, 2020

Ministry of Social Development & Gender Issues, Edo State, Thursday, June 11, recommended incarceration and hanging for anyone who indulges in rape.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. (Mrs) Ehimwenma Ebhodaghe, made this recommendation while leading other staff members of the Ministry and other NGOs members in a peaceful rally against rape in the country and the world at large.

The peaceful rally which saw them through major streets in Benin was in collaboration with Global Women For Quality and Sustainable Development; Women International League for Peace and Freedom, Nigeria, among others.

The members who carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Say no to gender-based violence’; ‘stop rape and defilement’ ; ‘give us pen not pennis’ ; ‘Casson is against rape; walked through major streets and up to the NUJ Press Centre.

Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary said the rising rate of rape and gender-based violence prompted the rally, as she said government can no longer tolerate such.

“We come to let everyone know that we cannot tolerate rape any longer; we say no to gender-based violence; defilement, violence against children and women. Enough is enough! Government can no longer tolerate it anymore”, she added.

While recommending further that perpetrators should be brought to book and face justice, Ebhodaghe said if possible they should be sentenced to dead.

She said, “Perpetrators should be brought to book and justice. We recommend death sentence for rapests; incarceration for rapists. We say no to rape. Rape must stop! Gender-based violence must stop! Defilement must stop! Child abuse must stop! Child abuse must stop!”

In her reaction, representative of Global Women For Quality and Sustainable Development, Mrs. Mariam Kadiri, said they were in the street to solicit for support and justice for late Uwa and others who were raped and brutalized by some evil persons.

She lamented that many women are facing what Uwa faced but are silence because of the fear of the unknown, adding that if Uwa had not died probably nobody would have heard about it.

“We are asking for justice for her and all other children that are facing defilement; that are facing rape because we have much happening but because of silence nobody knows. If Uwa had not passed on, probably we would have silence about it. so, we are demanding fo justice.

“We are saying no to gender-based violence; we are saying no to child abuse. We say no to violence against women and children; we are saying no to defilement. We don’t want lives of young girls be cut short”, she noted.

Welcoming them to the NUJ premises, Chairman, NUJ, Edo State council, Roland Osakue, noted that members are constrainted and concerned about the alarming issue of rape in the state and the country at large.

Osakue, who described rapests as criminals, called for a legislation that will protect women and make rapists to face severe punishment.

He also called on parents to protect and monitor their girl child, adding that girl child and women in general are facing a lot of challenges.

“Penalty should be meted on rapists through a legislation. There must be serious legislation that recommend severe punishment for rapists.

“Another is that the girl child must be protected. Parents should also monitor their girls child, because the girl child is facing a lot of challenges“, he said

Metro

Police Arrests Three Masterminds Of Abuja Kidnappings

Published

4 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested three notorious kidnap suspects linked to a spate of deadly abductions in Abuja and neighbouring states.

According to a statement signed by the Force PPRO, Abuja Command, SP Josephine Adeh, on Thursday, the suspects, 27 years old Ya’u Shittu from Kaduna State; 30 years old Sale Usman from Niger State; and 28 years old Ibrahim Abdullahi from Abuja, were captured during sting operations carried out between June 13 and 18, 2025, in Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa states by the Command’s elite Scorpion Squad.

The suspects, who have been on the Command’s wanted list, reportedly confessed to multiple kidnappings and murders, including the 2024 killing of a pastor in Mpape and the abduction of children in the same area where their father was shot dead. Police also tied them to the kidnapping of a woman for whom N10 million was paid in ransom, with each gang member pocketing N500,000.

Adeh said the breakthrough followed “credible digital reconstructive intelligence” and was led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey.

According to the police, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who also doubled as the gang’s arms supplier, led officers to a hideout in Bukuru, Nasarawa State on June 18. Upon arrival, the police team was met with gunfire from other gang members, prompting a shootout.

“Abdullahi attempted to flee but was shot and rearrested. Other gang members escaped and are currently being pursued,” the statement added.

Exhibits recovered from the scene included a long knife and various charms.

FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, commended the bravery of the Scorpion Squad and reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to public safety. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security operatives.

“This is a major blow to violent crime in the FCT. We are determined to rid our communities of criminal elements,” he said.

The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. Meanwhile, police have intensified efforts to track and arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
(PUNCH)

Metro

FG Closes Case In Alleged Terrorism Trial Against Nnamdi Kanu

Published

6 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government, on Thursday, closed its case in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the allegations bordering on terrorism and treason.

The FG’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, announced this after the 5th prosecution witness (PW-5), identified as EEE for security reasons, was led in evidence and cross-examined by Kanu’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Awomolo told the court that after calling five witnesses in the trial, the prosecution was satisfied that from the avalanche of evidence tendered, including the broadcast of activities of the leader of the IPOB, the government had sufficiently satisfied the need to close its case.

“I therefore close the case,” the senior lawyer said.

After the announcement, the lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, informed the court that they would be opting for a no-case submission, which would be filed in due course.
(NAN)

Metro

NAF Air Strikes Destroy IED Factory, Terrorists’ Gun Trucks In Borno

Published

6 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Thursday that its fighter aircraft operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has destroyed an IED factory and terrorist gun trucks and eliminated dozens of fighters in Kwaltiri, within the Tumbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations, said, “The 18 June 2025 airstrike followed intelligence reports of terrorist activity in the area.

“Surveillance confirmed the presence of an IED-making site and vehicles, which were struck in precision passes by NAF aircraft.

“The operation is a major blow to terrorists’ fighting capabilities, as the successful strikes not only disrupted their command and control as well as logistics chains but also sent shockwaves through their ranks, significantly degrading their morale and operational momentum.

“It reinforces NAF’s resolve to degrade terrorist capabilities and enhance security in the North East.”