Armed men gang-rape ‘pure water’ hawker in Ekiti

The victim, it was gathered, was hawking sachet water on Monday when the men, who were said to be armed with broken bottles, accosted her and took her to a corner in the market, where they forcefully had carnal knowledge of her around 7pm.

Emmanuel AmudaJune 4, 2020

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Three armed men allegedly gang-raped a 17-year-old street hawker at the Oja-Oba Market, Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.

The victim, it was gathered, was hawking sachet water on Monday when the men, who were said to be armed with broken bottles, accosted her and took her to a corner in the market, where they forcefully had carnal knowledge of her around 7pm.

The victim was reportedly rushed to the hospital for treatment after the incident.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, the two suspects had been arrested, adding that efforts were on to apprehend the third member of the gang.

“The girl was hawking sachet water when the incident happened around 7pm on Monday. The suspects are friends; we have arrested two of them, while the third is still at large. Investigation is ongoing,” Abutu stated.

Meanwhile, a global human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari, to declare rape a national crisis in the country.

Amnesty International Nigeria said on Wednesday that it joined its voice to other civil societies demanding justice for Uwaila and Barakat.

The AI Nigeria, in a series of tweets, noted that a “toxic culture that encourages men to see women as passive sex objects” must be discouraged.

The organisation tweeted, “The government’s response to rape continues to be woefully inadequate. Frequent reports of rape across Nigeria are a gruesome reminder of the violence women and girls face. Violence against women and girls is often not properly registered or investigated.

“The rape and murder of 18-year-old student, Barakat Bello, in Ibadan is shocking. Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian authorities to declare a national crisis on rape. Women and girls’ safety must be paramount across Nigeria.

“Dear President Buhari, declare rape a national crisis. Rape is a crime. If there is no consent, it is rape, even if the victim stays quiet and does not resist. The ‘boys will be boys’ mentality warps sex into something for men, done by men to women, without regard for the woman’s well-being. This toxic culture that encourages men to view women as passive sex objects needs to be addressed.

“We are joining people in Nigeria to demand justice for Omozuwa (Uwaila), who was raped and murdered in a Nigerian church. Violence against women must stop. Authorities have to ensure justice for her and other women.”

Newsflash247 Nigeria