The Lagos State Government has appealed to the media for a more mandated reporting in cases of defilement of minors in the state.
Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary, Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), made the call in a statement in Lagos on Friday.
Vivour-Adeniyi made the appeal in the case alleged defilement of a 12-year-old girl in Ikorodu by one Ife Adekoya. She said DSVA swung into action on receipt of the report.
“We immediately incident the case at the Imota Family Support Unit Police Station for investigation.
“The Police subsequently transferred it to the Gender Desk Department of the Lagos State Police Command,” she said.
Vivour-Adeniyi said the victim’s mother narrated how her neighbour inform her that her daughter was defiled by a neighbour. The incident allegedly happened on June 16.
She said the suspect lives on the next street to that neighbour, whose name she did not disclose.
“The mother claimed that the neighbour informed her the following day when she returned from a trip with her husband.”
She also narrated that the neighbour hinted that she engaged the minor to find out what the suspect did to her.
“The neighbour said she noticed the suspicious act of the perpetrator, spotting blood stains on his trousers.
“Further questioning by the neighbour revealed that the alleged perpetrator lured the minor into the bush, closed her mouth and sexually assault her by penetration,” the mother narrated.
She further said the Police arraigned the perpetrator before Magistrate Amope Layinka on July 26.
“The suspect has been remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Prison, pending the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPs) advice while the matter adjourned to Sept. 19.
“All forms of abuse, neglect, domestic and sexual violence are crimes against the state and perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law,” Vivour-Adeniyi said.
She called on residents to break the culture of silence by reporting any form of abuse through DSVA’s toll-free line 08000-333-333 or visiting its office at Novel House, Plot 3, Jobi Fele Way, Alausa, Ikeja.
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