The Anambra State government has vowed to ensure that all those responsible for the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl in Nawfia community, Njikoka Local Government Area, face the full weight of the law.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Esther Onyekesi, made the pledge on Thursday when the victim, whose identity is being protected, was brought to her office in Awka.
Onyekesi, visibly distraught during the visit, said the state condemned the act in the strongest terms and would pursue justice to its logical conclusion as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
“We express deep outrage over the level of trauma the young girl had endured at the hands of adults who were entrusted with her protection. This is unacceptable,” she said.
•“We urge men to protect women and young girls, rather than take advantage of their vulnerability. The ministry assured the victim of her safety and pledged to follow the case diligently to ensure justice is served.”
A medical report presented to the commissioner revealed that the teenager is two months pregnant as a result of the repeated sexual assaults.
The case was brought to the attention of the commissioner by a Catholic priest from Nawfia who intervened after learning of the abuse.
While recounting her ordeal, the victim said her guardian had been forcing himself on her nightly, after which other men joined in the assaults. She said a good Samaritan facilitated her rescue last week, leading to some arrests before she was taken to the commissioner’s office.
The victim also disclosed that the guardian’s wife is a stroke patient and was therefore unable to intervene. She told the commissioner that police at the Nawfia Division had arrested two of the eight suspects, while the remaining six remained at large.
It was gathered that the matter is currently being handled at the Nawfia Police Station.
In a related development, the decomposing body of a woman in her sixties, identified as Victoria Adegoke, was found abandoned in a nearby bush in May.
The deceased was found naked and was suspected to have been raped and strangled before her body was dragged into the bush.