By Martin Odiete, Abuja

The National Human Right Commission is taking the bull by the horn in the fight against Rape and all form of sexual violence as they partner other top Nigerian Organizations in confronting the matter.

NHRC lined up series of programs meant to pass on their message to Nigerians, part of which was a Rally/Walk with the theme: “Equality and Dignity for Nigerian Women”.  

Their first point of call was a visit to the headquarters of the Nigeria Police force in Abuja where the Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu ESQ personally delivered a letter of protest to the Inspector General of Police

The Executive Secretary noted that the rally was a peaceful protest meant only to sensitize the Nigerian public and also draw attention of policy makers to the issues of rape and other forms of sexual violence in our society.

He stressed on the need for the Nigeria Police Force to be more proactive and approach the issue with all seriousness.

Receiving the protesters on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Muhammed Adamu, the force public relations officer, DCP Frank Mba thanked the protesters for the visit and promised that the Police force will tackle to a standstill issue of rape and all forms of sexual violence.

In his words: “On behalf of the inspector General of Police, the Force management team and the entire men of the Nigeria Police force, we welcome you all to the Force headquarters at the Louis Edet House, Abuja.

“The cause you are fighting for is a cause that falls squarely under our constitutional and statutory mandate as police officers”

“It is one of our responsibilities to fight crime”, Mba said.

“It is our responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to thrive and live to conduct their social economic activities without any form of harassment”

“Therefore we see your campaign and sensitization work as a form of collaboration. We see you as partners.

“on behalf of the IGP we reaffirm our commitment to the partnership, we will work with you”

“We challenge other citizens to take a cue from the NHRC, the NBA, NAPTIP and other civil society organisation to join forces together and break the conspiracy of silence”

“we call on all who has a role to play to join the campaign and help raise generation of men who will abhor rape, and a generation of women who will abhor sexual molestation of minors” he said.

After the rally the delegation of the National Human Right Commission were received by the Inspector General of Police and at the end of the meeting a communiqué arising from the earlier meetings held between the three Organizations was issued.