Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, has advocated stiffer penalties against rapists, paedophiles and anyone involved in child abuse to serve as deterrence to others.

He also urged people of the state to stop giving alms to child beggars to discourage the rising trend of child beggars in the state.

Speaking to the Chairman and members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, in the state, led by Mrs. Stella Ojemen, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Oshiomhole, said: “Edo State Government appreciates that you are addressing some of the challenges that government ought to have addressed like ensuring that we all mount campaigns against rape and defilement as well as ensure that when people have carried out these heinous crimes, that they are arrested and diligently prosecuted with a view to sending them to prison.

“We have discussed this time and again at our Executive Council Meetings and at a point, we asked the Attorney-General to review the laws such that the number of years a convict gets will commensurate with the severe nature of rape and defilement.

“We are concerned, we have discussed this and we have a feeling that the number of reported cases are on the increase. We also know that because of the nature of our environment, there will be several others that may not even be reported at all.

“When you look at the number of rape cases that are recorded, it is clear that across the country, both rape and defilement cases are increasing and this calls for tougher measures on the part of those strengthening the law and providing for stiffer and harsher punishments than what is currently obtained but also ensure that the few cases that are reported are properly prosecuted with a view to securing conviction,” he added.