Wife of Nasarawa State Governor Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule inaugurating the Centre in Lafia. Photo:Chris Nyamtu
Nasarawa State Government has set up an independent body to ensure accelerated prosecution of perpetrators of sexual violence in the state.
Governor Abdullahi Sule stated this during the inauguration of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Lafia the state capital.
The Sexual Assault Referral Centre which is located at the Nasarawa State Government owned Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia; is the first of its kind.
He said cases of sexual assault especially involving underaged children has been on the rise in the stat, hence the need to establish the centre to essentially provide medical, emotional and practical support for victims.
The Governor represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Rufa’i Ibrahim said the government will continue to strengthen relevant agencies to ensure perpetrators of sexual violence were prosecuted without undue interference.
Wife of the Nasarawa State Governor, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule while citing the case of a three-month-old girl who was rushed to Jos University Teaching Hospital in Plateau State to save her life due to injuries she sustained as a result of defilement by a 40 years old man in 2021, said that the establishment of the centre had brought relief to victims of sexual assaults to access care and treatment within the state.
Also, Deputy Director, Public Defendant and Gender Based Violence in the state Ministry of Justice Mrs Justina Allu said more than 50 sexual offenders arrested between January and April 2023 were facing prosecution.
Reporting by Chris Nyamtu;Editing by Fany Olumoye and Annabel Nwachukwu