The Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai recently signed into law, the amended Penal Code Law 2020 that provides stiffer penalties for rape of a child including death, surgical castration for male convicts, and bilateral salpingectomy for female rapists. Some Nigerians expressed their views on this legislation.
Ibrahim Akindele, 38, Blogger, Ibadan
The castration of rapists is not the best.
What if a woman rapes a man?
Castration, death sentence for rapists
‘Castration not a deterrence for rapists’
The government should look for another punishment for them.
A rapist today may change to become a good person tomorrow.
So, to me, it would be reasonable to find another punishment for them.
The government may review the existing punishment for them.
For instance, if their jail term was 25 years before, the government may increase it to 50 years.
Aisha Muhammed, 28, Businesswoman, Minna
It is very okay because I’m a woman, who has sisters, and daughter.
I know the effect or trauma women go through when they are raped.
It is a very bad act because it kills people and causes stigmatisation.
I hope the law will make offenders desist from such acts.
Dahir Kure, 37, Journalist, Minna
I have a mixed feeling.
I agree with it on one hand because it becomes a stigma on whoever was raped.
I believed this kind of law is to serve as a deterrent to offenders.
I also see it as being too harsh on men; hope there would be another punishment for the offense than castration.
Some persons may commit the offenses and change later but that singular act can render them useless for life.
Rita Essien, 29, Stylist, Port Harcourt
Rape has become a recurring decimal in Nigeria.
The perpetrators should be made to face the music.
They should be castrated to serve as a deterrent to others.
Taiwo Oluwadamilare, Businessman, 35, Ibadan
I don’t support the castration of rapists.
I think instead of castrating them, the government may increase their jail term and thereafter rehabilitate them.
Ezeh Patrick, 25, Sales Representative, Lagos
Castration is not the way to go for rapists.
Our mind controls our actions.
So, I think therapy whilst facing jail term for offenders (especially first-time offenders) would be important to help educate and curb rape.
We are all humans so we should be open to correction before punishment.
Nora Okoye, 22, Student/ Business owner, Lagos
I think the castration of rapists should be encouraged; it should be an attached punishment to rapists.
Hopefully, with their diminished sex drive, the world will be a safer place.
Comrade Lucy D Yunana, 54 , Child Rights Activist, Maiduguri
I call it a ‘pandemic’ higher than COVID-19 because the number of people who contracted the virus in Borno State so far is lower than the cases of rape recorded within the period.
Women and girls are mostly the victims.
I am therefore, of the opinion that anybody found guilty of rape should be castrated with a knife.
Look at the life of the survivor, the trauma she would have to live with throughout her life time.
Aishatu Kabu Damboa, 23, Aid Worker, Maiduguri
If rapists would not be sent to their grave to meet their creator immediately after committing the act of rape, then they do not deserve to live a free and normal life like everyone is a normal human being.
Seyifunmi Odunuga, 50, Civil servant, Ibadan
It is good to castrate them.
If there is another supreme punishment, the government may impose it on them.
Why must you rape?
The social stigma of rape victims is devastating.
My younger sister was raped and she began avoiding men including her relations.
So, I support the castration of rapists.
Sandra Iyegbu, 48, Medical Personnel
Rape has taken a disturbing and unprecedented dimension in Nigeria.
It is disturbing that some perpetrators get away with it.
If castration is the only measure to stop the act, I am not against it.
If castration of rapists is the only measure to curb the ugly trend and at the same time serve as a deterrent to those that might indulge in such an act, I am not against it.
Rebecca Sako, Executive Director, Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women, Kaduna
I support the law to the extent that it serves as a deterrent and we will see a reduction in the spate of rape in the state.
For such laws to be taken, the government will have to ensure that due process is followed, meaning, the suspect will be allowed to appeal the judgment of the various courts from the lowest to the highest.
On the other hand, even God forgives people, so if the person is repentant and remorseful, he deserves a second chance.
Unfortunately, the law does not give the judge the leeway to make that call and that is where the issue is.
I am actually for and against the law; I am for if it will serve as a deterrent and then I am against it if there is an opportunity for reform.
Musa Bashir, Businessman, Kaduna
A rapist, especially the one who raped a minor deserves such punishment if he is found guilty by a court of law.
There should be levels of punishment starting from imprisonment and to castration.
For example, from a certain age bracket, let’s say age 0-11years should attract castration, while from 12 and above should also have another severe punishment that will serve as a deterrent to rapists.
But the ultimate concern here is that the legal proceedings should be fair and should be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to avoid lapses.
Achari Maxwell, Public Servant, Kaduna
We are very happy about the punishment especially as a mother; I just hope that it will be properly implemented because that has always been an issue.
It is not just about passing laws, but about people witnessing that the law is being used, at least, between now and December, we want to see offenders that have been convicted by the courts, castrated so that it will serve as a deterrent to others.
Except that is done, we are afraid that the law will pass down under the bridge.
Chinonyelum Nwosu, 51, Restaurant owner, Enugu
I think it will be right to have the law of castration of rapists nationwide.
I say this because rape is a very evil and wicked act that has the potential of rendering the victim useless in life.
Castration is not even enough punishment.
Death is a better punishment for rapists.
How can any sane society tolerate rape?
So you need to punish offenders to deter others.
The manhood of the rapist should be cut off so that he can perish if he can.
A rapist shouldn’t be allowed to exist because he is a big danger or threat to women.
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