Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday held a virtual meeting with the National Human Rights Commission over the recent cases of sexual and gender based violence in Nigeria and the way forward, The PUNCH reports.
The meeting came at a time protests are holding across the country against increasing cases of rape and defilement of minors.
Vera Omozuwa, a 22-year-old student, was reported to have been raped and killed in an empty church in Benin City recently.
18-year-old Barakat Bello was also raped and macheted to death in Ibadan, Oyo State recently.
The development led to last week’s decision by the Federal Executive Council to go tough on culprits.
After the virtual meeting on Friday, Osinbajo took to his Twitter handle, @ProfOsinbajo, to decry the development which he described as a blemish on collective humanity and dignity.
He said violence, rape, and sexual assault had no place in the society.
He promised to encourage state governments who are yet to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015 and the Child Rights Act of 2003 to do so.
Osinbajo wrote, “Gender-based violence, rape, and sexual assault have no place in our society.
“It is unacceptable behaviour and a blemish on our collective humanity and dignity as a people and as a nation.
“Had the opportunity to discuss rape and gender-based violence with the National Human Rights Commission at a virtual meeting today.
“We will continue to work with all actors to detect and punish the perpetrators of these sickening acts and work even harder to prevent their occurrence.
“We will also continue to use the platform of the National Economic Council to encourage states who are yet to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015 and the Child Rights Act of 2003 to do so.”
