The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Oyo State chapter, and the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria in Lagos State have condemned the rape and murder of 18-year-old Barakat Bello in Akinyele area of the state.
Bello was until her death a student of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), Federal College of Animal Health and Production, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
FOMWAN in a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan called for thorough investigation and arrest of the perpetrators of all recent and backlog cases of rape and other violent abuse of girls and women in Oyo State and Nigeria in general.
The Oyo State Amirah of FOMWAN, Alhaja B.B Oloso, described as worrisome, alarming, and disturbing the rising cases of rape and murder of women in Nigeria.
She said that the rape and murder of Bello, a member of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Akinyele Area Council, on Monday was one too many.
Oloso said the incident came at a time Nigerians were still traumatised at the gruesome rape and killing of Uwavera Omozuwa, a 22-year-old Microbiology student of the University of Benin inside the Redeemed Christian Church of God parish at Ikpoba Hill, Edo, by unknown assailants.
The Amirah appealed to all well-meaning individuals and concerned authorities to rise in defence of the girl-child and women who were daily being oppressed, raped, attacked and murdered.
Oloso also called on human rights groups, professional bodies and faith-based organisations to boost their awareness campaign on the negative effects of violence against women.
“Barakat Bello, Uwavera Omozuwa, Tina and others must not die in vain. We must all speak with one voice to condemn all forms of evils against women.
“It could be anyone we know. The attackers may be lurking somewhere in our neighborhood.
“We demand that the security operatives do whatever it takes to apprehend the rapists and murderers in our midst,” Oloso said.
On his part, the Amir of MSSNLagos, Dr Saheed Ashafa, said, “We are deeply disturbed about the plethora of abuses to which our girls are being subjected especially in Nigeria.
“We wish to emphasise that no sanction is too harsh for rapists who coerce people into sex.
“Also, the violation of female rights to education, freedom of religion, thought and expression has become worrisome and highly depressing.
“Government and its agencies must protect all women from various forms of oppression they go through. All avoidable emotional traumas being inflicted on our girls must be stopped forthwith.
“We join the rest of the world to recognise the sensitive place of the Girl child as a vulnerable specie of humankind.”
