Community leaders protecting rapists, el-Rufa’i’s wife warns

Community leaders and parents in Kaduna State have been told to stop protecting rapists following an increase in the number of rape-related cases across the country.

The wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Ummi el-Rufai, who took the campaign against rape to Turunku, a rural community in Igabi Local Government Area and the historical birthplace of Queen Amina of Zazzau, said the crime had continued unabated because rapists enjoyed community protection.

The governor’s wife expressed sadness that rape, especially of minors had assumed an alarming rate in the state, adding that the perpetrators were being protected by community leaders.

“We are here in continuation of our campaign against rape, to meet you the community leaders – traditional, religious leaders, social mobilizers, youth and community influencers – to help us in this fight,” she said.

“We have often heard of instances where community leaders themselves are the ones protecting the rapists. We are here to tell you to stop it, because if we continue to pardon rapists just because they are our neighbours, families or even because we want to protect the dignity of the victim, so that the victim can get somebody to marry in future, then the rapists will not stop, they will always look for the next victim,” she said.

She also admonished the people against victimising rape victims, saying they are not to blame for being raped. She said her team will continue to visit rural communities across the 23 local governments of the state to sensitize rural dwellers on the need to protect their daughters from rapists.

Responding, the Village Head of Turunku Sabuwa, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman, said the community had already taken measures by ensuring that youths follow due process in asking hands of girls in marriage.