- CP To Invoke Child’s Rights Law
By Akanimo Kufre (The New Diplomat’s A/Ibom|C/River Correspondent)
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Imohimi Edgal has vowed to invoke the Child’s Right Act to fast-track the arrest of parents/guardians who hire minors for street hawking, exposing them to sexual violence.
CP Edgal made this warning on Wednesday as the Akwa Ibom Police command parades 12 suspected rapists.
Among those paraded was a pastor, Inimfon Eyo Inyang, claimed to have attempted to rape a 21 year-old-girl.
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Police investigation also revealed that the acclaimed pastor has allegedly had unlawful carnal relationship with a 15- year-old living in his deliverance centre. The victim was revealed to be one of the eight girls living with the pastor.
Similarly, Emmanuel Okon Otu was arrested in Oron over alleged armed robbery and rape offences. Emmanuel was apprehended after he robbed his victim of Techno Spark 4, Itel phones, N32,000 and raped her about 1:30am at gun point.
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In another case, a father, Mr Ime Sunday repeatedly raped his 16-year-old daughter allegedly, leading to her escape from home to a friend’s family house in Etinan.
Mr Sunday was said to have persuaded the daughter to return home as she will no longer be violated but the illicit sexual affairs continued.
Another father, Akpan Kingsley Effiong was also arrested for allegedly defiling his 14-year-old daughter in Abak Rd, Uyo.
Most of the victims in the reported rape cases were minors who were lured and raped as they were on the streets selling to support family income following the Covid-19 lockdown.
The violation of these girls on street hawking provoked the Commissioner of Police CP Imohimi Edgal to invoke the proscribed punishment of 10-years jail term for convicted parents. CP Edgal also vowed to parade every suspected rapist irrespective of social or political status.
He further called on Akwa Ibom citizens especially parents and guardians to be on the watch over their wards.
“The Police command therefore enjoins the general public particularly parents and guardians to be more cautious of the integrity of persons to whom they entrust their children and wards. The command’s advice is premised on the fact that some of the minors were sexually violated by their so-called spiritual fathers or persons in authority in the course of hawking.” CP Imohimi Edgal warned.
The police boss also urged members of the public to disregard stigmatization or threats and report all gender and sexually related crimes to Police for justice as well as protection, medical and psychological support.
