NIGER RECORDS 66 CASES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

From left: Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger and Gov. Abdul'aziz Yari of Zamfara.  Photo: Hogan-Bassey/NAN/file

The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), Minna, says it has recorded 66 cases of sexual abuse against children and teenagers in Niger state, in the last six months.

Dr. Ekaete Umoh, its Medical Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Minna that the victims were boys and girls aged between 12 and 15.

The officer said, however, that families of victims had often hindered the prosecution of offenders.

"Families of victims have often stood in the path of prosecution officials. In some cases, they refuse to appear. When they choose to appear, they withhold information that is crucial to nailing the perpetrators," she said.

According to Umoh, many parents or guardians of victims usually prefer to settle out of court, instead of allowing justice to take its full course.

Anal sex

She said that the cases involved the rape of young girls and forceful anal sex on young boys.

"In one of the most recent cases, a man in his mid 40s, who is married to two wives with seven children, had anal sexual intercourse with four boys, paying N100 to each of them after every encounter.

"He has confessed to penetrating three of the children three times, while one suffered four penetrations.

‎"So far, both the suspect and the victims have been screened‎ for sexually transmitted disease," she said.

‎Umoh said that the matter was being investigated, adding that the suspect would be arraigned "as soon as investigation is completed".

She said that the guardians of the assaulted children have been invited for interrogation and counseling, while the children are being counseled against the dangers in anal sex.