Sexual abuse high in Kebbi, says government

Kebbi State Government has expressed concern over the high rate of sexual abuse in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Maikurata, at a two-day training on Multi Sectoral Response to Gender Based Violence (GBV) organised by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday, said the state had experienced a lot of challenges on GBV.

She explained that the ministry recently witnessed two cases of rape in Gwandu and Maiyama councils, while urging parents to caution their children.

According to her, a 70-year-old man was found raping a girl of 11 in Gwandu, while a 50-year-old man raped a 14-year-old girl from Mungadi village in Maiyama, adding that the two cases were under trial.

“We thank God as we are able to formulate Child Protection Bill and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill, which have been signed into law,” she added.

The State Director in charge of Integrated Health Programme, Adamu Nuhu, said that the two-day training would go a long way in sensitising the public on GBV in the state.

He added that about 30 cases of GBV were recorded in Kebbi, commending the efforts of the wife of the governor, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, for supporting the passage of the bill.