The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, has ordered the rearrest of the five young men who allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl after forcing her to ingest an overdose ofanalgesic known as Tramadol.
He also urged the Police to ensure thorough investigation of the case.
Banigo made the call in Port Harcourt on Tuesday while reacting to reports that the Police had released the suspects.
It was gathered that the girl was gang-raped by a group of five men at Abirima Community in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
Reports said she was forced by the boys, who, allegedly, had earlier forced her to ingest an overdose of an analgesic known as Tramadol.
The deputy governor enjoined the Police to promptly re-arrest the suspects and commence thorough investigation into the matter.
She said, “Rape is an inhuman act, it is sinful; it is capable of leading to several illnesses and even death of the victim.
“A full scale investigation into the matter is expected in order to bring the perpetrators of the inhuman act to justice.”
Banigo said it was wrong for suspects of such a crime to be released by the Police without investigation.
She said, “Such action is counterproductive; it will encourage rapists to be on the rampage in the state. We all need to do things that will discourage crime.”
The Rivers Chapter Chairman of the National Association of Women Journalists, Mrs. Lillian Okonkwo, described the rape as ‘atrocious and inhuman.’
She said the association would join other civil society groups to ensure that justice was done in the matter.
“We cannot all sit and watch. We need to come out to ensure that justice prevails, at least to act as a deterrent to others.”
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