The heartbreaking case of a 12-year-old girl who was allegedly gang-raped by five men on December 24, 2024, and captured on tape in Igiafodo Awuyemi, Okpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) of the State, has been denounced by the Edo State Government through Mrs. Edisili Annani, Administrator of the Office of the First Lady.
Speaking at a visit to the young woman at the Diasy Ehanire Danjuma Center, Mrs. Anani used the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law to promise that those responsible would be subject to the full force of the law.
“The Edo State Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that these perpetrators are brought to book. Section 4 of the VAPP Law defines rape, while Section 5 outlines the punishment. EDO State has zero tolerance for any form of violence, and we are standing firmly with the victim,” she stated.
Mrs. Anani condemned the perpetrators, who reportedly filmed the act and circulated the video on social media, adding that the evidence strengthens the case against them.
“The video footage makes it impossible for anyone to cover up this crime. The law will take its course, and these individuals will be dealt with decisively,” she assured. She commended the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, His Royal Highness, Lukeman Akemokue, and his wife, Blessing for their swift action in bringing the case to light and ensured that both the victim and her mother were relocated to Benin City for safety and medical care due to threats against their lives.”
“I really want to commend your Highness. He did a fantastic work with his wife. It happened in his Community, Okpella Kingdom, they didn’t hide it, immediately he saw the videos he took it up, and I want to say when things like these happen speak out, speak out for somebody else, because tomorrow it could be your own child,” she advised.
On his part, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, HRH. Akemokue, thanked the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the office of the First Lady for a fantastic job for being proactive in response, noting that Okpella Community will continue to support the administration.
Along with the victim and other interested parties, Mrs. Anani was also present at the Edo State Police Headquarters. She urged that the young girl receive justice and praised the police for their swift response.
CP. Umoru Ozigi, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, responded by thanking Mrs. Anani for the visit and promising that the victim will receive justice. He revealed that three people are being held by the police in relation to the crime at the moment.
Mrs. Irenonsen Joy Ihensekhien, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, said she was hopeful that the two remaining suspects, who were still at large, would be captured by the police. She encouraged everyone to use the Sexual Assault Referral Center’s (SARC) free services and to always speak up.
