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Incessant Rape: Group Calls For State Of Emergency On Sexual, Gender-based Violence

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A Bauchi based NGO, ‘Attal Sisters’ Helping Hands Foundation’ (ASHHF) has called for state of emergency on sexual and gender based violence against women.

Mrs Comfort Attal, the Executive Director of the organisation made the call on Friday while on a peaceful protest to the state Commissioner for Justice, Yakubu Bello.

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According to Attal, the State Government should institute a motion in the House of Assembly to declare state of emergency on sexual and gender based violence.

READ ALSO: Omozuwa Murder: Fish Out Perpetrators, Group Challenges Edo Govt, Security Agencies

She told the commissioner that since the outbreak of COVID-19, violence against women has increased with 50 per cent in the state.

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Attal Sisters’ Helping Hands Foundation’ (ASHHF) members in a group photograph

“I’m devastated at the escalating reports of violence against women and girls in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.

“Since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic, the number of calls has increased on our hotline services.

“Violence against women has increased as high as 50 per cent in Bauchi state while in some states, service providers couldn’t assist victims as they were trapped at home with their abuser because of lack of access to phones or transportation.

READ ALSO: Funeral Service For Madam Mary Orhue Uzamere Holds Friday, 5, June 2020

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“I am urging you to speak out on this issue on the floor of the House to push a motion to declare a state of emergency on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the state and in Nigeria at large,” she urged.

The executive director stressed that rape was both an inhuman and degrading treatment against women and girls, adding that it was a disrespect to dignity and has lasting negative effect on victims.

“In the past one week, 16-year old girl was abducted and ganged raped in Bauchu state; Uwa was raped and killed in a Church in Benin; Tina was shot dead in Lagos; 13-year-old girl was raped by 11 men in Jigawa, Barakat was rapped and stabbed to death.

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“Those are only few reported in the news, we need justice, we need a state of emergency declared today.

READ ALSO: Undermining Power Of The Media Is Self-destructive, Says Edo Commissioner-designate

“On this note, there is need for the state and the federal government to declare a state of emergency and to pass the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

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More photos of Attal Sisters’ Helping Hands Foundation’ (ASHHF)

“will you lead in the fight?” the executive director asked.

In his reaction, Bello said that the state government would take measures to ensure that those found wanting would not go unpunished.

The commissioner, also the state Attorney General urged the organization to always collaborate with the police and keep the ministry of Justice apprised of latest happening of such violence case, especially those that had been reported to the police.

READ ALSO: Bauchi Governor Awards N45 billion Projects Within One Year

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“I want to assure you that we are Attal Sisters’ Helping Hands Foundation conducting a peaceful protest on the need for Bauchi govt. to declare state of emergency on sexual and gender based violence in the state. leaving no stone unturned to ensure that we address this menace of girl-child vulnerable rights as regard to women violence,” the commissioner said.

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One Injured, One Missing, Many Flee As Suspected Herders Invade Edo Community Again

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One person was injured while several others were displaced as suspected herders attacked Sobe in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Tuesday night.

It was gathered that the latest attack is coming after three people, a pastor and two of his farm workers, were killed in the same community two weeks ago by suspected herders.

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INFO DAILY reports that this is the sixth attack the community has suffered this year.

In the latest attack, a barber called Monday was attacked with a machete and left for dead but he has been taken to an hospital where he is recovering from his wounds.

A source said: “It is yet another tragic moment for the people of Sobe community as suspected fulani herdsmen invaded the community again on Tuesday.

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“A barber called Monday and his family were attacked in their own house in the night.

“The herdsmen laid abush until he (Monday) came home and when they sighted him, they matheted him and left him in the pool of his blood. The Invaders also kidnapped one of Monday’s children and stole other valuable.

READ ALSO: Suspected Fulani Herders Kidnap Two In Edo

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“The victim was taken to the community health centre where he received treatment and in a stable condition. But the herders are yet to reach the family of the kidnapped boy.

“The herdsmen then entered some part of the community and started looking for venurable victims. We hereby call on the Nigerian Police Sobe Division and all other Forces to please come to our aid,” the source added.

Contacted, Edo State Police Command PPRO, SP Chidi Nwabuzor said that he was yet to get details of the incident.

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How Pastor Raped Teenager While Playing Sermon

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A teenager has narrated how she was allegedly raped and deflowered by one Pope Paul, a youth pastor in the Deeper Life Bible Church in Lagos state.

The 19-year-old survivor appeared before the sexual offences and domestic violence court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday.

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The survivor said the abuse started when she was 15 years old and living with the cleric.

Narrating her experience, the survivor told the court that she knew the cleric when she started residing with his wife identified as Sister Lydia.

According to her, she had visited the pastor’s wife during a holiday in 2016 and after she got back home to Ibadan, Sister Lydia invited her to start living with her after taking permission from her mother.

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READ ALSO: Father Rapes 18-year-old Daughter In Shop

I was enrolled in a private school as I resumed in SS1. I only go back to my parents during the holiday.”

The survivor said the cleric started the alleged sexual abuse by touching her breasts when nobody was around.

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“On February 17, 2018, I noticed this lustful look on Pope Paul and he came to me; he started with a rough play and then bumped on me,” she said.

“He started touching me because there was nobody around.

“He moved on to touch my breasts and used his hand to cover my mouth while he inserted his fingers into my private part. As he fingered my private part, blood was flowing out.”

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READ ALSO: 60-year-old Man Allegedly Rapes Daughter’s Friend In Ondo

The survivor told the court that the cleric played a “Christian message” and increased the volume so that no one could hear her voice during the alleged rape incident.

She said the cleric warned her that she would die if she told anyone.

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The survivor also narrated how the cleric came to her room one night, dragged her to the kitchen and had sexual intercourse with her.

She told the court that her mother observed her when she got home and subjected her to pregnancy test, which turned out positive.

“My mum called pastor and he said that he was sorry and had asked God for forgiveness and knew that God had forgiven him,” she said.

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READ ALSO: Two More Ladies Accuse Lagos Bishop Of Rape, Narrate Ordeal

“My mum told him to inform his wife about the pregnancy but he refused and later denied that he impregnated me which prompted my mother to report the case to the police and he was arrested.”

Ramon Oshodi, the trial judge, adjourned the case to May 23 for continuation of trial.

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Abia Vigilante Kills Man Over Alleged Missing Company’s Phone

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A yet-to-be-identified official of the Abia State vigilante group has shot and killed one Izuchukwu Mbakwe, a 27-year-old staff of De Choice Eatery in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

It was gathered that the deceased was shot at a very close range on his lap on Sunday leading to his death.

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Mbakwe, a native of Umuosu Okaiuga Nkwoegwu in Umuahia North Local Government was said to have arrived for his normal duties when the Internal Auditor invited a Vigilante Security Guards and demanded his arrest over a missing “Nokia Torch” belonging to the company.

READ ALSO: Abia Governor-elect Alex Otti Sends Message To PDP’s Okey Ahiwe, Others

The overzealous guards were said to have stripped Izuchukwu and beat him to a stupor, and shot him at his lap at close range with a Pump Action Riffle, which affected his Femoral Artery.

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It was learnt that it took an uproar from customers for the victim to be brought to FMC Umuahia for treatment.

He, however, lost his life at the point when he was about to refer to a specialist hospital. He has been since deposited at the morgue.

A colleague of the deceased alleged that they are being owed up to 5 Months’ salary arrears.

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READ ALSO: Alex Otti’s Long walk To Abia Govt House

Mrs Adaora Chukwuemeka the elder sister of the deceased confirmed that her brother has not been paid for five months, wondering why the employer has not communicated with the family.

she said the late Mbakwe was left under the rain to bleed to death, calling for justice for the brother.

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The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, has confirmed the incident.

He faulted the action of the vigilante operatives, wondering why the accused was not handed over to the police for investigation.

He said the suspect has been apprehended and his firearm recovered.

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