The Anambra State government has promised to get justice for a 16-year-old girl who was gang-raped by eight men in the Nawfia community.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Esther Onyekesi, made this pledge when the teenager was brought to her office on Thursday.
A medical report presented to the ministry confirmed that the victim is now two months pregnant due to the repeated assaults.
The heartbreaking abuse was uncovered and reported to the commissioner by a local Catholic priest who intervened to save the girl.
During her visit, a visibly emotional Onyekesi strongly condemned the heinous act and vowed that all the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law.
Onyekesi said, “The state government condemned this act in strong terms and the ministry will ensure that all perpetrators in the dastardly act are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others. We express deep outrage over the level of trauma the young girl had endured at the hands of adults who were entrusted with her protection. This is unacceptable. We urge men to protect women and young girls, rather than take advantage of their vulnerability. The ministry assured the victim of her safety and pledged to follow the case diligently to ensure justice is served.”
Narrating her ordeal, the victim explained that her guardian forced himself on her every night before seven other men joined in the abuse.
She added that her guardian’s wife suffered from a stroke and was completely unable to intervene or help her.
The Nawfia Police Division has already arrested two of the suspects, while a manhunt is underway for the remaining six fleeing perpetrators.
