Coalition accuses Kano of neglecting rampant rape cases

A coalition of women professional and civil society group has accused the Kano State government of neglecting cases of sexual harassment, especially rape on minors.

The group insisted that the failure of the concerned authorities to bring the offenders to justice has further heightened the frequency of rape cases in Kano.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, one of the leaders of the women coalition, Hajia Hauwa El-Yakub, said cases of rape, particularly against minor is fast reaching alarming narrative in the state while regretting what she called negligence of government and security operatives to nip the menace in the bud.

Hauwa said: “ Rape cases in Kano is now on daily basis and those are the ones reported because Kano is a conservative society where many don’t report their cases due to fear of stigma. Yet those victims reported have not gotten justice or compensation from government.”

The Director, Transparency and Development Information Initiative (TDII), Maryam Ibrahim Garba, blamed the Police in Kano and Department of Public Prosecution, Kano State Ministry of Justice for inability to synergize effort to prosecute rapists.

But the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Kano State, Haruna Mohammadu Falali, said the agitation of the group was baseless and lacks proof.
Falali said it had recorded significant reduction in the number of rape cases.in the state said the call by the civil society group was politically motivated.