15 jailed in Akwa Ibom over gender based violence

By our correspondent

The Akwa Ibom State Government has disclosed that it secured different jail terms for  over more than fifteen offenders of Gender Based Violence in the state.

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Women Affairs, Dr. Glory Edet, made this dislosure this in Uyo, the state capital during a one-day enlightenment campaign with the theme, “Fight against Gender Based Violence’.

“In view of the foregoing, let me use this forum to announce to everyone that over fifteen (15) judgements had been secured in the Court and the offenders are serving different jail terms in prison”

Edet, who commended the governor for declaring zero tolerance to cultism and violence in the state, however identified complicity by some security agencies, and compromise by survivors as major challenge working against efforts to tackle the menace, which has become a global phenomenon.

“The greatest challenge to the fight against Gender Based Violence is complicity by some security agencies who release offenders without charging them to court, as well as compromise by survivors and their families who go behind to collect money from the perpetrators of the crime and settle out of court.

“The ministry seriously frowns at such acts because they make our efforts unfruitful and the ministry will continue to prosecute all those who connive with GBV culprits to abort the efforts of the state government in combating crime.

“If one is sexually exploited and abused, please say something, speak out, silence is not an excuse, rather silence ensures further damage and breach of health which is wealth,” Udofia advised.