The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Katsina State say it receives no fewer than 20 to 30 reports of rape of minors every month.
DSP Salisu Agaisa, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, made this known while briefing newsmen in Katsina on Monday.
He said the command was concerned about the increasing rape cases.
“It is disheartening to note that most of the victims are underage girls who are hawkers’’, he added.
Agaisa said the rape resulted in the death of the victims in some cases while others were left with severe injuries.
He, therefore, urged the public to continue to assist the police with vital information about rapists and other criminals in the state.
The spokesman said the police was ready more than ever before to arrest and prosecute rapists to serve as deterrent to others.
He also urged parents to take proper care of their children so as to prevent them from being victims.
The state government amended the law against rape last year.
The new law provides for a minimum of 14 years or life imprisonment with a fine of N50,000 and compensation for victims by anyone found guilty of the offence.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command has arraigned Hamisu Galadima, a primary school teacher, before a senior magistrate’s court for allegedly raping seven girls in Faskari local government area.
The police prosecutor, ASP Hashimu Musa, told the court that the suspect was arrested, following complaints by the victims’ parents.
He said that all the girls were not above nine years.
He said that the First Information Report (FIR) indicated that the incident occurred at Tashar-icce village in Faskari local government area.
Musa told the court that Galadima lured the girls into an office after school hours and had sexual intercourse with them at different occasions.
He said that the girls’ parents reported the case to the police after which the suspect was arrested for investigations.
The prosecutor added that the girls were treated at Funtua General Hospital.
He said that the offence was punishable under the section 283 of the penal code.
The magistrate, Mr Abdulkarim Ahmed-Umar, adjourned the case till September 24, for mention and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.
