Outrage as hoodlums rape teenage girls to death

WOMEN lawyers and other professionals in Bayelsa State yesterday expressed anger and disgust over the gang-related rape of two teenage girls to death by hoodlums in the state.

According to the angry female lawyers, the two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, were violently raped to death by a gang of boys at separate incidents in the metropolis.

While the 15-year-old girl (names withheld) was waylaid and raped by a gang of boys at an uncompleted building along the D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha Expressway, ‎the 16-year- old girl was raped to the point of death by another gang last weekend.

‎The women lawyers, under the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), expressed disgust at the refusal of victims’ parents to seek arrest of the rapists and pursue prosecution.

The Chairperson of the Bayelsa State chapter of FIDA, Dise Ogbise-Erhisere, ‎expressed disappointment over a ridiculous settlement proposal made by one of the suspect’s parents.

She disclosed that in one of the reported cases, one of the suspect’s parents offered the victim’s parents the sum of N1,000 and a rubber of rice to close the case.

Ogbise-Erhisere called on victims’ parents not to settle rape cases outside of the court in order for offenders to face the full weight of the law, as well as serve as a deterrent to others.

Dise Ogbise-Erhisere called on parents to advise their male children to desist from the shameful act, which attracts the wrath of God and life imprisonment in our laws.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said though he heard of the incident but that the police was not informed or involved in the case.