Worried by the overwhelming reports of child sexual abuses in Nigeria and forced sex in the camps of the Internally Displaced persons (IDP), a United Kingdom’s based child rights and social justice group, Jose Foundation is storming Nigeria for workshop to train victims of sexual abuses.
According to a statement by Jose Foundation President, Prince Martins Abhulimhen in Abuja yesterday, experts from the UK including Councillor Mrs Jayne Senior (MBE), well known for fighting against child and girls sexual exploitation in the United Kingdom will be in Nigeria to share experiences.
He stated that the foundation is worried by the recent report of sex scandal as highlighted in the recent of the Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleging that Nigerian security officials and other government functionaries have raped and sexually exploited women and girls displaced by the conflict with Boko Haram.
The foundation stated that it has been in the forefront of raising alarm on the incessant cases of rape and child sexual scandals involving people that are expected to protect them.
Abhulimhen commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s swift directive to the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr Ibrahim Idris, to commence investigations into the allegations by the group.
He said: “The recent report by the Human Rights Watch has vindicated us as we have continued to raise the alarm on the frequent cases of rape and child sexual abuses in Nigeria over the years. The cases abounds in Nigeria and Jose Foundation is committed to ensure the victims get justice.
“We are coming to Nigeria to help government find solutions and measures to stop the scandal that has painted the country in bad light before the international community”.
He added that the foundation in September drew the attention of key stakeholders in the country including the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, IG of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris and other top public officials to the scandal for action.
As part of the preparation, the foundation and UK child sexual exploitation experts led by Councillor Mrs Jayne Senior (MBE) and her team are meeting with Nigeria’s acting High Commissioner to UK, Mr Adah Ogah and Minister for Welfare, Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq on November 15, to facilitate the visit.
The training according to the foundation will be held in Abuja and in some IDP camps in the country.
It will recalled that the foundation recently visited to the UK House of Lords to campaign for Nigeria’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) where parliamentarians commended the efforts of President Buhari in fighting insurgency in Nigeria.
Abhulimhen chided those demanding for sex from IDPs in return for favour as enemies of the society and such societal behaviour should be condemned by all Nigerians.
He further stated that the Nigerian legal system not coming out strong against rapists’ is tantamount to aiding and abetting the heinous crime.