Rights groups demand prosecution of the soldier who raped a Poly student

Remember the Ibarapa Polytechnic student who was allegedly raped by a soldier attached to the Oyo State security outfit - Operation Burst? (Read it Here) Well, there might be hope of her getting justice as human rights organisations have urged the government to investigate the sexual assault.

Popular human rights activist and President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, in a chat which Punch described the alleged raping as a reflection of abuse of power by security agents.

She said, "It is sad. It is a terrible reminder of what security has become. That is the height of impunity. Soldiers that are supposed to be at the war front in the north are busy perpetrating such heinous act. There must be full investigation to ensure punishment for the perpetrator according to specifications of the law." Continue after the jump...

Also, the Coordinator, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, Mr. Okechukwu Nwaguma, said rape was escalating due to the failure of authorities to sanction the perpetrators.

"The frequency of cases of human rights abuse by military personnel is becoming alarming. What is even more worrying is the failure by authorities to bring those responsible to book. We have yet to come to terms with allegation of military operatives using excessive and disproportionate lethal force to murder peaceful protesters in Kaduna in July for which the authorities have done nothing.
"Now, a soldier has been accused of raping a female student in a glare of his colleagues and we heard of attempts by the military and state government authorities to shield the perpetrator from justice. Government should ensure that the official responsible for this reprehensible act is punished and the victim compensated adequately."

Also joining in the call for justice, the Executive Director, MEDIACON, Mrs. Olufemi Kayode, said the victim should take the matter to court,

"She should go to court whether the government is saying the allegation is baseless or not. Justice will emerge in court. Evidence is very important because the soldier may deny the crime," she said.

The National coordinator of Community Education and Empowerment Network for Africa, Dr. Emmanuel Akpan, while speaking on the assault, said,

"We condemn all forms of violence on our campuses and in the society as a whole. Every Nigerian child should be given social protection wherever they are. We are blessed with enough resources to do it, but our government has failed in the provision of social services."

"Rape is a social problem that is barbaric in nature. When I read the report, I felt sorry for the victim. I also read that it is under investigation but we urge the relevant authority not to sweep the case under the carpet. There should be social protection for every Nigerian just like government in developed world do for their people.