Banigo Urges Police to Investigate Rape of 15-year-old Girl in Rivers

• Condemns sudden release of suspects

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Worried by the spate of rape cases in parts of the state, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has called on the police to step up investigation into the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl, Chidera Amajor, at Abirima Community in Oyigbo Local Government Area.

In a statement at Government House, Port Harcourt, Banigo said there was the urgent need for the police to launch full-scale investigation into the matter in order to bring perpetrators of the inhuman act to justice to serve as deterrent to others.

The deputy governor expressed worry over the sudden release of the suspects by the police, stressing that the action was counterproductive as it would encourage rapists to be on the rampage in the state.

She called for the enforcement of relevant laws of the land against rapists by the relevant agencies of government as a conscious effort to sanitise the society of rape-related cases.

Banigo also called on non-governmental agencies (NGOs) and civil society organisations to speak out and join forces with government towards reducing the high incidence of rape cases in the society.

She also advised those who take delight in raping under-aged girls and women to desist from the act, describing it as “Sin against God and humanity.”