The Edo State Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Hon. Christabel Omoh Ekwu has reemphasised the state government’s commitment to sustain its pursuit of the protection of rights of residents, especially the vulnerable – women and children.
Hon. Ekwu gave the assurance while receiving a 24-year-old lady, whose videos recently surfaced on the internet on how she was violated and humiliated by a group of non-state actors in Edo North Senatorial District.
On behalf of the state chairman of the Committee on Gender Based Violence, Her Excellency, Betsy Obaseki, the Commissioner invited the victim to her ministry in order to get first-hand information necessary for full- scale investigation and possible prosecution of the alleged offenders.
Narrating her ordeals, she alleged that she was raped, stripped and assaulted by one Urol Afegbua and his gang in Afe Okpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. She claimed that the said Afegbua and his gang ill-treated her as a result of her refusal to date him – Afegbua.
She added that she was bailed out of the house of the said Afegbua by her relations, with the sum of N18,000 (eighteen thousand Naira).
As at press time, the victim has been referred to the Edo State Specialist Hospital where she will be examined and treated accordingly while the alleged gang leader, Afegbua has been arrested by the police where investigation is expected to be carried out, which will lead to prosecution if he is found culpable.
