The Anambra State government has committed to delivering justice for a 16-year-old girl who was gang-raped by eight men, including her guardian, in the state’s Nawfia town, Njikoka LGA.
Esther Onyekesi, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, stated this when the victim (name withheld) arrived at her Awka office on Thursday.
In a somber attitude, Onyekesi swore to bring the perpetrators of the heinous act to court in order to dissuade others from doing the same.
The commissioner, who was obviously affected when the victim was brought to her office, expressed significant outrage at the extent of pain the youngster had suffered at the hands of those entrusted with her safety.
A medical report provided to the Anambra state commissioner verified that the minor is two months pregnant as a result of the several sexual assaults.
A Catholic priest from Nawfia reported the situation to the commissioner after becoming aware of the abuse.
Onyekesi said, “The state government condemned this act in strong terms, and the ministry will ensure that all perpetrators in the dastardly act are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.
“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.
“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.”
While recounting her ordeals, the survivor stated that her guardian had been forcing himself on her every night, with other males joining in the sexual attacks.
She said a “Good Samaritan” facilitated her rescue from the abusive situation last week, after which some arrests were made before she was brought to the commissioner’s office for safety.
The victim also stated that the guardian’s wife is a stroke patient and was unable to intervene in the assault.
The victim informed the commissioner that two of the eight suspects had been caught by police in the Nawfia Division, while the remaining six were still on the run.
It was learned that the matter is currently being processed at the Nawfia Police Station.
In May, the body of a sexagenarian woman, Victoria Adegoke, was discovered abandoned in the adjacent bush.
The victim was discovered naked and suspected of having been raped and strangled before her body was carried into the bush.
