We’ll Ensure Justice for 15-Year-Old Rape Victim – Rivers Govt

Ololade Adeyanju

The Rivers Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, has expressed confidence in the ability of the police to ensure justice in the recent rape of a 15-year-old girl.

Banigo stated this in Port Harcourt today, while reacting to reports that the police had released the five suspects held in connection with the rape.

The victim (names withheld) was reportedly gang-raped by five boys at Abirima Community, in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

Reports say she was lured by her assailants, who forced her to ingest an overdose of an analgesic known as Tramadol, before taking turns to rape her.

Ipalibo said: “Rape is an inhuman act, it is sinful; it is capable of leading to several illnesses and even death of the victim. We are counting on the police to ensure a full scale investigation into the matter, in order to bring the perpetrators of the inhuman act to justice.’’

“Such action is counterproductive. And if the perpetrators are not punished, it will encourage rapists to be on the rampage in the state. We all need to do things that will discourage crime.’’

Speaking in the same vein, the Rivers Chapter Chairman of the National Association of Women Journalists, Mrs Lillian Okonkwo described the incident 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,” she said.

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