BY ESTHER AKPOTOWHO
We are waking up every day to horrifying news of various crimes of heinous degrees. Despite the quantum level at which our security agencies at different levels are being equipped numerically, financially and gadgets, the crimes in the country seem to be skyrocketing sending chills down the spine of many.
The causes of these crimes are numerous that one begins to wonder if the rate at which crime is committed in the country will ever be reduced to its barest minimum. On June 15, 2020 TVC news reported that Nigeria recorded over 3600 rape cases during the lockdown. Is it that the level of awareness on the law banning crimes such as rape, is not created in the minds of Nigerians?
A few days ago Sadiya Umar Farouk, the minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, Federal Republic of Nigeria, stated that according to statistics made available by Nigerian police, about 717 cases of rape were recorded in the country in the first five months of 2020.
As staggering as this figure may be, it is common knowledge that in Nigeria most rape cases are often swept under the carpet for reasons of public scandal and discrimination, blame passage on the victim due to the blind belief of some people that every rape victim must have contributed no matter how minute in her being raped.
How often are we drumming it into the ears of our young children who are in their puberty stage and are unaware of how to deal with the ever rising sexual urges that come with puberty that they have to learn to engage their minds on meaningful ventures such as sports, skills, community service, scientific inventions and other meaningful enterprise that will keep them busy rather than waste their time pondering on lustful thoughts, surfing away their future on porn sites?
At this point, one cannot help but question the reason why rapists do what they do. Do rapists do it out of a clear conscience, under the influence of some substance or is it a way of gaining self aggrandizement? These questions which are begging for answers can only see the light when we all work together to discourage rape with all note of seriousness.
This is because we never can tell whose profile will add to the ever increasing statistics of rape cases recorded in the country. As a matter of urgency, we believe all Nigerians, especially mothers having seen these facts, are expected to be on red alert.
We can’t forget in a hurry the story of Uwa and Barakat. It is also believed that we are yet to forget the psychological trauma that goes with being raped? How about the health risk of contacting incurable sexually related diseases or in a more frustrating situation having to decide between keeping a fatherless child or not, especially when the crime suspect is at large? How about the societal stigma?
Due to the fact that rape has no good side to it as it is devilish and a wicked act, it becomes very important that all hands remain on deck in the battle against rape. Say no to rape.
Away from rape, we are being faced with another monster. This monster seems to be ignorant of the poor and is aiming for those with monetary value. Kidnapping has become a daily occurrence in the country. Just recently a professor was kidnapped in his home while his son was sent to his maker.
Why these marauders take delight in shedding innocent blood leaves one to imagine how inhumane and callous these unwholesome elements in the society had degenerated. Is it that killing in the process of kidnapping is part of the rituals they make to the successful?
To these criminals, have you completely lost your sense of humanity that you care less whose ox is gored in your search for daily bread? It is known by all that the government of the country like every other country has a lot of lapses in creating jobs and employing her ever growing working population.
However, you have to note that going into any sort of crime as a means of survival is not an excuse in the eye of the law. A visit to major markets in the country will reveal youths hustling for themselves. They work day in day out to put food on their tables. Do you think they are stupid or are not hungry to ride exotic cars, marry beautiful wives and acquire all the good things that life has to offer?
From the foregoing, you can judge yourself and see that it is greed and selfishness that has driven youths into a life of crime. All of us will look for hiding places if everyone turns into crime in order to survive?
It is also not a hidden fact that you have lords you are working for and you have to work for your own dear life. Unfortunately for you, you were very aware of what you were venturing into when you signed the deal. It is important that you have it in mind that one day the monkey will go to the market and will be unable to return home
