Sexual predators on loose in Lagos
Recently, the Lagos State Police Command released its yearly report on the crime situation in the state and one column that jumps out is the increase in the number of sexual assault cases, including those directed at minors.
The figures, released by the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Manko show that sexual assault of minors has increased in the last one year, and that rape and indecent assault rose from 129 reported cases in 2012 to 132 reported cases in 2013.
A senior police officer however cautions that though there is a rise in reported cases of rape in the state, actual cases may be higher as the fear of stigma and poor handling of the case might prevent more cases of rape to be reported.
One such incident was a case of minor-on-minor reported at the Ikorodu area of the state recently. This time, it was a 14-year-old boy who allegedly raped a nine year old girl. The girl later died as a result of the rape. The police said the boy had sex with the girl about five times, she developed sharp pains in her vagina and reported to her father, but she died shortly after.
Last December, a 12-year-old boy was arrested over allegation he defiled a 3-year-old girl in Agege. The boy, though a minor, was charged to court.
In January, the police arrested Yusuf Ojuolape and one Akibu over allegation they defiled six-year-old twin sisters at Okeran Street, Lagos Island on January 18th. The crime was exposed after the mother of the girls noticed the swollen vaginas and raised alarm.
The police has since arraigned Yusuf at the Ebute-metta magistrate court while Akibu is said to have gone on the run.
While the case of the alleged defilement of the twins provoked, a 27-year-old man, Adegoke Apata, was charged to court for allegedly raping his neighbour’s 14- year-old -daughter at the Ikotun area of the state .
The charge reads: “That you, Adegoke Apata, on January 19, 2014, around 5.30pm at 9, Omotayo Street, Abaranje Ikotun, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did forcefully have sexual intercourse with one (name withheld), aged 14 years, which caused her harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.” Apata however denied the allegation.
When girls become mothers
Last month, the police also charged three men to court for alleged defilement of a 12-year-old primary school pupil.
The girl, who was in Primary 6 but had to stop schooling due to the stress of the early pregnancy that resulted from the multiple rape, said the men, who are her parents’ tenants, took turns to sleep with her whenever her mother went out her business. She is five months pregnant.
The accused are Shaibu Isiaka 29; John Obah, 30 and Vincent Amaechi, 28.
The police arraigned the accused on a three count charge to wit defilement. The accused were granted bail in the sum of N250, 000 each with two sureties who have landed property in Lagos state and a Level 12 Lagos State Civil Servant. The case was adjourned to Feb. 12 2014.
A 14 year-old girl, name withheld, gave birth to a baby girl at the Ignado General Hospital in January. She expressed happiness over the birth of her child but lamented that the baby would be seen as a child of rape.
Narrating how she got pregnant, the girl said: “Our neighbor called Tobi forced himself on me when he told me to come and collect money for my examination. He did it once and since I don’t know anything about pregnancy, I just went about my business until my mother noticed it and took me to the hospital. I cannot hate the child. She is mine. Though I would like to go back to school and graduate from the university, I cannot do that now until the baby is grown. But I will do all my best to take care of her and still go back to school”
Mrs. Williams, the mother of the 12 year-old girl who was raped by four men at Oworonshoki, said she will nurse her daughter to deliver her baby.
“This is my cross. I will carry it. She is already five months pregnant and there is nothing I can do than to cater for her and pray for safe delivery of the baby. She is too small to be a mother, so I will step in for her. You can see how she is behaving like a child herself; so what will she know to do when the baby come. So this is entirely my responsibility. I will however ensure that such a thing does not happen again. I will do that by taking her for family planning so she can continue her education. I want her to go to the university and become somebody in life”.
Franca Attoh, a lecturer and consultant in the Department of Sociology, Lagos State University blames increasing cases of rape on phonographic films.
“The internet is readily available with video clips of sexual displays. People can just watch it any how and when such men do not have access to women to satisfy their aroused sexual desires, they may pounce on any female child. I will suggest that parents take out time to discuss sex with their children. Let them confide in you so that they do not fall prey to rapists. The effect of rape can lead to having a dysfunctional society where future mothers, wives and sisters have pent up anger over the trauma they face as rape victims. It is necessary that a stronger commitment towards eradicating rape , and other sexual crimes are pushed in the front burners “
Tips to Protect Your Child From Abuse
1. Talk.
Talk often with your child and set a tone of openness. If your child comes to you with concerns or questions, make time to listen and talk to them.
2. Teach.
Teach your child key safety principles. For instance:
· The names of their body parts so that they have the language to ask questions and express concerns about those body parts.
· Let your children know that if someone is touching them or talking to
them in ways that make them uncomfortable that it shouldn’t stay a secret.
3. Empower.
Your child should know that s/he has the right to speak up if they are uncomfortable, or if someone is touching them. It’s okay to say “no” even to adults they know and family members. Remember, abuse is more often perpetrated by someone known to the child and it may escalate over time, particularly if the abuser is a family member
4. Implement.
Implement Internet safety protocols, and parental controls through platforms such as the Google Family Safety Center or your DSTV decoder.
5. Educate.
Educate yourself about the signs of childhood sexual abuse. Warning signs include:
· Difficulty walking or sitting
· Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes
· Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in genital area
· Pain, itching, or burning in genital area
· Frequent urinary or yeast infections
· Withdrawal
· Sleeping & eating disorders
· Phobias, Anxiety and Guilt
· Psychosomatic symptoms (stomachaches, headaches)
· School problems (absences, drops in grades)
· Poor hygiene/excessive bathing
· Regressive behaviors – thumb-sucking, etc.
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