24th October, 2016
Arrida Relief Foundation, a civil society organisation, on Monday pleaded with the Kaduna State Government to take urgent actions to stem the rising cases of defilement of underage girls.
Hajiya Rabi Ibrahim, the founder of the foundation,said in Kaduna that reported cases of rape had risen from an average of two to eight every week.
According to her, the age of the victims range from between four and 10 years.
“Many of the cases of defilement are not reported by the victims’ parents due to either fear of stigmatisation, lack of awareness, poverty or threat by suspected culprits.
“Cases of defilement that we are prosecuting in various courts in the state are increasing at alarming rate.
“Therefore, we call on the Kaduna State Government to declare a state of emergency because our children are no longer safe,’’ Ibrahim said.
She appealed to the state government to give free medical examination and proper treatment to victims.
“We are also seeking for speedy domestication of the Child Right Act in the state and free medical examination for victims of such cases,’’ she said.