BREAKING:  717 rape cases recorded from January to May 2020, 799 suspects arrested, says IGP

A total of 717 rape cases were recorded in the country between January and May this year, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has said.

Speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, he also revealed that 799 suspects were arrested while 632 cases have been investigated and charged to court within the period.

Adamu, who was in the company of Minister of Information and Culture and Women Affairs, Lai Mohammed and Paulen Tallen, respectively, said 52 cases are still being investigated.

The police boss pointed out that even though there appears to be a surge in rape incidents and gender-based violence as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the menace is actually not new to the country.

He remarked that the police had always been dealing with the matter, noting that rape is a serious crime that must be rooted out.

He, therefore, appealed to members of the public to always report the incidents.

The IGP stated: “We are here to brief you on sexual and gender based violence and the action that the government has been taking, particularly the Nigeria Police.

“It has come to the public knowledge now that because of the COVID-19 restrictions, we have surge in cases of rape and gender-based violence. These are cases that are now coming up but we want to let members of the public know that, rape and gender based violence has been there.

“The law-enforcement agents have been dealing with these cases. In most cases, members of the public are not aware of the actions that the law-enforcement agents have been taking.

“The Nigeria Police so far from January-May 2020, have recorded about 717 rape incidents that were reported across the country, about 799 suspects have been arrested, 631 cases conclusively investigated and charged to court and 52 cases are left and under investigation.

“The police and other security agencies and other non-governmental organisations have been collaborating, to see to it that these cases of rape and gender based violence are dealt with.

“The NGOs and CSOs that have the capacity to deal with this kind of offences, have been cooperating with law enforcement agencies in capacity building, management of victims of rape and similar offences and procedures for collecting evidence, towards successful prosecution.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Northern Elders Forum Mere Irritant, Featherweight ― Presidency
The presidency on Sunday described the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) as a mere irritant and a featherweight following the position the group took on the worsening insecurity in the north. The presidency was reacting to a statement Sunday signed by the group’s convener, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, which alleged that the insecurity… Read full story

COVID-19: NCDC Confirms 403 New Cases, Total Now 16,085
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 403 new cases of COVID-19 in the country, bringing the total number to 16,085… Read full story

MONDAY LINES: Why Black Lives Cannot Matter
The white world has, in recent weeks, been assisting in reevaluating black lives. They’ve joined blacks to shout ‘Black Lives Matter’ as the world agonises over deadly racism abroad. But how much of value do the blacks place on their own lives, especially in Africa? Is it the destiny of the black man to suffer and be pitied from eternity… Read full story

Insecurity: North Set For Protest On Tuesday
Disturbed by the incessant killings in the North, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has concluded arrangements to stage a protest on Tuesday. This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday and signed by the spokesman of the group, Abdulazeez Suleiman… Read full story