Govt must enforce the penal code

A few weeks ago, there was great outcry over the despicable video of a gang-rape incident that allegedly occurred in the eastern part of the country.The Internet was flooded with people criticising the incident, and, eventually, it attracted members of the House of Representatives.Unfortunately, the tragedy has been overtaken by other cause clbre in the ever spontaneous socio-political mien of the country.In my opinion, the fault is to be shared between the Nigeria Police Force, the victim, and the government of the two states involved, as well as the media.Had there been efficiency on the part of the police, and, with the victim being willing to testify, in addition to the cooperation from the two state governments and persistent reporting by the media, this crime would have been solved.The failure to unravel the mystery of that gang-rape may result in the perpetuation of more rapes in the land.The Ogbozella Ibeku community in Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State has reportedly been witnessing the consequence of the unsolved gang-rape, as elderly women aged between 60 and 80 are now being gang-raped by teenagers aged between 14 and18.According to media reports, the boys usually target widows who stay alone and rape them all through the night.It is important that someone gets the maximum penalty for this heinous crime against womanhood, as prescribed in the Nigerian penal code; otherwise, rape would soon become a part of our system and culture.There was also an incident last month in Akoko Village in Kwale, Delta State, where four policemen got drunk and shot to death three people at a burial.Media reports stated that the police commissioner, Mamman Tsafe had said the four culprits would face orderly room trial, but no one knows anything again about it.Penultimate Thursday in Ekiti State, a policeman reportedly killed a little girl, Tayo Abe, and shot her two brothers. The report was confirmed by the Acting Police PRO in Ekiti State.When crime is condoned, either through mischief or negligence, it results in impunity and there is no telling who the next victim would be.And because we have always kept silent in the face of politically motivated killings, you can imagine how high the files must have stacked up.I urge the media to pursue to a conclusive end investigations into the police treatment of the little girls killer, and the rape of elderly widows as alleged.Meanwhile, Nigerians should learn to demand justice and punishment of culprits in our society.Awenlimobor Sylvester,12, Jida Road,Agbara, Ogun State.
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