It is heart-wrenching and troubling to read of the incessant cases of rape which has become so rampant in the country today. We have read of the heinous act of rapists in the past two weeks and we must state categorically as an association that we are really disturbed by their nefarious activities in the country which is actually on the rise today.
Yesterday, the students’ community was awash with the news of the rape and murder of one Oshiagwu Grace, an ND1 student of The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki who was raped and killed right in her residence in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State. It is so pathetic that this Local Government Area has recorded the third rape/murder case in the State today within two weeks, and, it is high-time we called on the State Government to beef up security in that part of the State in order to curb the disturbing act as it is gradually becoming a trademark there. We maintain that this must be done in collaboration with community associations in that area in order to avoid high-handedness of security officers, who may even commit worst crimes if not checked by the people.
Rape, without even discussing murder which has been incorporated into it today is a crime that must not be condoned under any guise as there is no justification for it. As an association, we are disturbed by the act, and, beyond lamentation, we call on the State Government to specifically beef up security in that part of the State because the increase in the recorded cases of crime there is something that calls for urgent attention.
The laissez-faire attitude of the State apparatus to this criminal activities is condemnable. The State government must do beyond mere amendment of the existing laws on rape, rather, a huge amount of energy should be channeled to enforcing the laws and making sure that those responsible for the recent spates of rape are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. It is very disturbing that despite the abysmal rise in cases of rape and murder, justice has not been gotten for any of the victims.
We also condemn the lukewarm attitude of the Police Force under the Oyo state Commissioner of Police. It is our hope that after the murder of Azeezat, concrete actions would be taken to bring to justice the perpetrators of the crime but, unfortunately, while the Police were still tactically maintaining indifference, Grace was raped and murdered. As Nigerian students, we are tired of hearing the rape of our members without the Government and the security forces taking adequate action to apprehend the perpetrators as delay in punishing these criminals will only embolden other criminals like them which is why this act is on the rise today.
Kowe Odunayo Amos
Coordinator, NANS Zone D.
08060337337
Giwa Yisa Temitope
Secretary-General, NANS Zone D.
08067012057
Kazeem Olalekan Israel
PRO, NANS Zone D.
08108567925
