Lagos community residents cry out over gang rape

Some residents of Lagos State living around Cele bus
Stop on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, on Friday sent
a Save-Our-Soul message to the government and
security agencies over rising gang rape.
The residents, who spoke to the News Agency of
Nigeria, alleged that the illegal activity was not only
carried out in Cele area but also in places like Oshodi
and Mile 2.
According to them, the nefarious act was being perpetrated
by miscreants who usually attack unsuspecting victims
coming back from work anytime from 4 p.m.
A market woman who sells wares around Cele bus stop
and who identified herself as ‘Mama Doyin’ told the
NAN that the development had become worrisome as it
was on the increase.
Mama Doyin said, “I don’t allow my daughters to go out
at nights anymore because of the rumour about gang rape
in the area.
“Also, I have told my daughters to stop putting on
miniskirts that will attract any form of molestation and
rape by hooligans.
“The woman also attributed the cause of gang rape to the
clothes the ladies put on, saying the government should also
address the issue.
“Ladies put on clothes that reveal their inner body and that
also contributes to this menace.”
Mama Doyin noted that though there was police presence
in the area, the activities of the hooligans had not been
reported to be under check.
She then, appealed to the government and security
agencies to find a solution to the menace before it further
escalates.
A 54-year old man, Tunji Olawale, a resident of Cele
area, who also spoke to NAN, also confirmed the
development.
“They attack ladies in the late hours of the night, take
them to a bush and rape them,” he said.
“Some even lure the ladies into a house, call their other
guys and they all perform the illegal act on their victims,”
he said.
Asking if he could give a particular area where this illegal
act took place, he said he had no idea but that it is a
common story around there.
He added that the gang rape issue was a menace the
police and the government should look into and prosecute
anyone found guilty of the offence.
An artisan, who preferred anonymity, told NAN that the
menace had become very rampant around the metropolis
and urged security operatives to wade into the matter.
An eye witness, who refused to be named, said that the
boys mostly attack pregnant women before clamping down
on the ones not pregnant.
“These boys make attacking pregnant women a priority
than the non-pregnant ones,”she said.
The eyewitness added that everyone in the area had begun
to suspect the involvement of the police in the act as the
incident usually happen around the area they were
stationed.
But the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth
Nwosu, when contacted, said that all black spots in Lagos
State was under serious surveillance by the police.
He noted that if the development was going on the police
would definitely get to the root.
Nwosu debunked the rumour of police involvement and
advised victims to always report any such incident to the
police.