By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN CITY—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has raised alarm over the increasing cases of child defilement in the country, calling on state Houses of Assemby to pass stringent laws that will check the situation which he described as unacceptable.

The governor, when he received the new leadership of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Edo State branch, led by Mrs Maria Edekor, at his office, yesterday, said it takes a lunatic to defile children aged 6,7 or 10, adding that such person must be sent to prison to serve as deterrent to others.

According to him, “We will not do enough if we continue to lament defilement, rape, and other violent crimes that are targeted at women. The number of rape cases has been on the increase, including cases of defilement of children and it is totally unacceptable.

“I am not sure anybody can really explain why these vices are on the increase. These are not normal people and we need to put such people out of circulation by sending them to prison. I think we also need to amend our law on defilement to prescribe stiffer penalties. Part of the challenge of the Nigeria’s condition is that people are happy to tell you to charge them to court, so we need to set up special courts or assign some judges to dedicate their time in hearing cases that have to do with defilement or crimes against women and children.”

Earlier in his address, Mrs Edekor said that the visit was to inform the governor of their forthcoming FIDA week, with the theme: “Women Representations; a Catalyst for Global Development.”