Rivers Deputy governor urges police to investigate rape of 15-year-old minor
NAN-H-16
Rape
By Azubuike Okeh
Port Harcourt, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Rivers Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Banigo has urged the Police to ensure thorough investigation of a recent rape case of a 15-year-old minor.
Banigo made the call in Port Harcourt on Tuesday while reacting to reports that the police had released the suspects apprehended n connection with the rape.
It was gathered that the girl was gang-raped by a group of five boys at Abirima Community in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
Reports say she was forced into the marathon sex by the boys, who had allegedly forced her to ingest an overdose of an analgesic known as Tramadol.
Meanwhile the deputy governor enjoined the police to promptly re-arrest the suspects and commence thorough investigation on the matter.
“Rape is an inhuman act, it is sinful; it is capable of leading to several illnesses and even death of the victim.
“ A full scale investigation into the matter is expected, in order to bring the perpetrators of the inhuman act to justice,’’ she said.
Banigo said it was wrong for suspects connected to such a crime to be released by the police without investigation.
“Such action is counterproductive; it will encourage rapists to be on the rampage in the state. We all need to do things that will discourage crime,’’ she said.
The Rivers Chapter Chairman of the National Association of Women Journalists, Mrs Lillian Okonkwo described the rape as `atrocious and inhuman’.
She said the association would join other civil society groups to ensure that justice was done in the matter.
“We cannot all sit and watch. We need to come out to ensure that justice prevails, at least to act as a deterrent to others’’. (NAN)
AZU/GOM/TON
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Edited By Gregory Mmaduakolam/Tony Nezianya