Law enforcers in Osun State have vowed to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as part of moves to end the practice.
At a consensus building on FGM abandonment in Ilesa East, policemen and personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as members of local vigilantes vowed to work with communities on FGM eradication.
The consensus building was organized by Action Health Incorporated, a non-governmental organisation championing the advocacy to end FGM with the support of UNFPA and in collaboration with Osun state ministry of health and that of women affairs.
The state reproductive health coordinator at the Osun state ministry of health, Mrs Toyin Adelowokan, said FGM practice does not have any health benefit and that it exposes females to dangers.
She said the practice contravenes laws of the state and that whoever caught engaging in female circumcision would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
The AHI Programme Officer, Fatimah Idris, also charged security operatives to ensure the protection of the identity of reporters of FGM cases.
