ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • #EndSARS Dashboard
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • #PandoraPapers
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Home
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • #EndSARS Dashboard
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • #PandoraPapers
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Fierce protest in Lagos over Abia gang rape

Rage of the protesters

Fierce protest in Lagos over Abia gang rape

September 29, 2011
4 min read

A peaceful protest organized by a coalition of non governmental organizations to make the government expedite action on the ABSU (Abia State University) gang rape case as well as raise awareness on violence against women, Wednesday, turned dramatic as protesters made a forceful entry into the Abia State Government Liaison office in Lagos.

The rally ‘Walk Against Rape’ began late in the morning with a low turn out of participants.

A couple of officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) accompanied the protesters to ensure a smooth flow of traffic, while a police patrol van trailed closely behind.

The hour long walk, which began at Ahmadu Bello Way, near the Nigerian Television Authority’s Victoria Island office, made a detour to Bishop Oluwole Street before returning to Ahmadu Bello Way.

The group arrived at the Abia State Liaison Office to submit a protest letter for onward transmission to the Abia State governor.

An elderly man at the security post turned deaf ears to pleas to inform officials of the Liaison office of the presence of the protesters.

“There is no one inside. If you have any letter, you can drop it here,” said the plain clothed man.

After a protracted but unsuccessful attempt to convince the people at the security post; the protesters embarked on a different line of action.

A handful forced their way through the security door into the Liaison complex and threw the main gate wide open.

Dozens of protesters marched into the compound with their placards, reciting the National Anthem and chanting songs of justice.

“It’s not just rape that we are angry about, a lot of injustices have been going on across the country but this Abia rape incident was too… not because a lady was raped but because five guys would rape a girl, record the video and post it on You Tube and spread it around,” said Gbenga Sesan of Enough is Enough, one of the groups supporting the rally.

1X Bet AD

“It is because they know that they can do it and get away with them. If things continue to happen like this, it means that one day people will walk into anybody’s house, rape them, record the video, take pictures and post it in newspapers because they know they’ll get away with them,” Mr. Sesan added.

A Walk for Justice

The walk, which had a lot of women in attendance, was aimed at bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime in Abia State to book, amongst other objectives.

“We are here to let the government realize that we as civil society groups, we are becoming concerned that the issue of sexual violence in Nigeria is increasingly assuming epidemic proportion and something needs to be done,” said Josephine Chukwuma, the Executive Director of Project Alert, a non governmental organization.

“Our children need to be safe,” Mrs. Chukwuma continued.

“Some people will want to argue that maybe she didn’t dress well… But if that is the case, then how come four, five and six year olds are defiled in the homes, schools, communities, and religious environments. What is going on? Why has it become that there is no safe space for women or young girls anymore.”

Less than one month after the Abia State Police Command launched investigations into the rape case, police authorities say they have met a brick wall.

According to J.G Micloth, a police officer, investigations have led to two arrests but “nothing to pin them with.”

“We are searching for unknown victim and suspects, investigation is not about magic but realistic evidence,” said Mr. Micloth, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in Abia State.

But Mr. Sesan insisted that it would no longer be business as usual.

“Let justice be done because if it is not done, it will become like the average rape case that has happened before now. It happens, people make noise, they are silent, and nothing happens at the end of the day.

“We know the Nigerian police. We know they are liars and they always reach a dead end just like they reached in Bola Ige’s case. They would always reach a dead end until a minister’s daughter is involved,” said Mr. Sesan.

Advertisements



Fierce protest in Lagos over Abia gang rape

Aborted Walks

In addition to the Lagos rally, similar walks had been planned to hold simultaneously at both Abuja and Abia State.

The organizers alleged that state security officers thwarted efforts to stage the protests in the two locations.

“What happened in Abuja was (we were) trying to get permission and all that but the SSS made it obvious that there is no assurance on security, which is a tactical way of saying ‘don’t walk,'” Mr. Sesan said.

Mrs. Chukwuma added that the Abia State government “threatened participants” not to take part in the walk.

“Categorically, someone called from the CP (Commissioner of Police)’s office that the walk cannot take place there.

“Meanwhile this is the same place that, three days ago, a stage managed walk was done in that same Abia State alleging that they were being stigmatized as a rape university.

“If this happened three days ago, why can’t those from the other side have their own walk? This is democracy for God’s sake.”

More than 85,000 people worldwide have signed a petition on www.change.org calling on Nigerian officials to continue investigations until the five men are arrested. The petition was started by Adetomi Aladekomo, a rape survivor, after she was sent the horrifying video.

In her address to the crowd of protesters outside the Abia State governor’s lodge, after tempers had been calmed, a senior official at the liaison office pleaded for more time for the governor.

“I’ve heard you people, I’ve seen what you are doing but I’ll need your letter to pass it to the governor,” said the official who identified herself as F.A Akaranta, the Director of Administration.

“The governor will deal with it, they are working on it over there so you should give them time to be able to do everything, please,” she said.

 

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

CITIZEN-FM AD


Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate



TEXT AD: To place an advert here . Call Willie - +2348098788999


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (0)
premiumtimes





PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Tribunal Nullifies CPC

Next Post

Nigeria gets network for investigative journalists

More News

FILE PHOTO: FRSC officials at a scene of an accident

Three dead in Ekiti road crash

May 17, 2022
Scene of Kano explosion that claims Nine lives (PHOTO CREDIT: Police PPRO kano)

PHOTO STORY: Nine bodies recovered at scene of Kano explosion – NEMA

May 17, 2022
Action Democratic Party logo

Ekiti 2022: Fresh crisis in ADP as chairman dumps party

May 17, 2022
NBA President, Olumide Akpata

Alleged Blasphemy: NBA cancels conference over murder of Sokoto college student

May 17, 2022
Newly Completed 13 Floor Twin Tower Ultra Modern Headquarters Building of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

Absence of counsel stalls suit opposing appointment of NDDC sole administrator

May 17, 2022
Adeyinka Grandson

EXCLUSIVE: Untold story of Adeyinka Grandson’s immigration, marital troubles

May 17, 2022
Next Post
Nigeria gets network for investigative journalists

Nigeria gets network for investigative journalists

Fed Govt sets timeline for polio eradication

Fed Govt sets timeline for polio eradication

Leave Comment

Search

AUN-PT Ad





Transport-Technology


Stanbic Ad


Access Bank Ad





Glo Ad


Subscribe to News via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of news by email.

Join 1,839,348 other subscribers.

Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert



Zenith Advert

ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • #PandoraPapers
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Opinion
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.