The Kaduna state in north-western Nigeria is allowing for full surgical castration of convicted rapists as punishment for their crime.
The state assembly approved the latest legislation as a response to the surge in rape cases there.
State governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai will now need to sign the bill for it to become law in the state.
State commissioner for woman’s affairs and social development, Hafsat Baba, described the approval by the state assembly as a “welcome development”.
Baba said the move should be crucial in serving as “deterrent” for rapists who abuse their victims.
Nigeria’s police chief Mohammed Adamu in June this year also revealed that the country between January and May, 2020 recorded 717 rapes.
The trend of the rapes amounts to one rape every five hours, something that worries Mohammed Adamu.
He told journalists in Abuja that rape is a serious and wicked offence that needs to be tackled with all seriousness.
State of emergency on rape
Following a surge in cases of rape and violence against women and children, Nigerian governors in June this year declared a state of emergency.
There have been concerns over how rape and violence against women and children had increased during the period of the coronavirus pandemic when lockdowns were imposed.
Series of protests took place in Nigeria as people call for justice for rape victims.
Thousands of Nigerians also signed a petition demanding an action from the government to end the increasing cases of rape.
A survey published by NOIPolls in July 2019 revealed that up to one in every three girls living in Nigeria could have experienced at least one form of sexual assault by the time they reach 25.
Many of the rape cases are not reported due to stigmatization and lack of confidence in the judicial process.
In a statement, the country’s 36 governors said they were “committed to ensuring that offenders face the maximum weight of the law”.
Nigeria: Police says ‘one rape is recorded every five hours’
Source: Africafeeds.com
