Female lawyers decry high rate of sexual harassment in Niger State, demands serious punishment for culprits

The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Nigeria In Niger State has decried the alarming proportion of child molestation and sexual harassment of girl child in Niger state.

The association’s chairperson in Niger State Hajiya Uma Khaltume Mohammed who raised the alarm in an exclusive Interview With Journalists in Minna noted that the increasing rates of sexual molestation against the girl child in some part of Niger state has taken a fearful dimensions.

She described as heartless that some aged and adults will derive joy in sexually molesting under-aged children stating that AWLA under her leadership will soon go all out to bring those involved in the heinous offences to face the full wrath of the law.

According to the association chairperson, the executive members of the association will engage of the relevant security agencies in the state and other critical stakeholders such community based organization, CBO, Niger State child right agency NSCRA to join hands with AWLA to curb the ugly trends.

“We in AWLA,and other relevant agencies will not allow this ugly trend to continue in Niger State.

“We have a duty to go all out to bring these heartless groups of people to face the full wrath of the law.

“The trend is becoming so alarming.We have to Collectively nip it in the bud before it takes into a different dimension in the state ” she said.

Speaking further Hajiya Ummulkhatum wondered why some adults will engage children of their grandchildren age in sexual molestation for unknown reason describing the act as barbaric that should be condemned

She disclosed that AWLA will soon embark on aggressive sensitization and enlightenment programs across the twenty-five local government areas of Niger State to educate the community on the needs for them to report any case of child molestation and harassment in their respective communities to the appropriate authority for necessary action.

This, she noted, will assist in exposing any culprit involved in such heinous crimes for prompt action.