TheCable

The Akwa Ibom state government says 23 rapists have been jailed in the state.

Speaking with journalists on Saturday, Gloria Edet, the state commissioner of agriculture and women affairs, expressed displeasure over the rise in rape incidents in the state.

She asked citizens to speak up and report cases of rape and other forms of violence against women.

“We’ve received reports of rape cases in the country and Akwa Ibom state is not left out, even though in Akwa Ibom state, the law is being implemented and God has helped us to jail over twenty-three rapists,” she said.

“The number of rape cases is becoming alarming every day and I am calling on the citizens to report incidences of rape and other violent crimes against the female gender to law enforcement agents and other relevant government agencies for prompt intervention.”

Edet said as part of measures to tackle rape incidents, the state government has approved the establishment of gender-based violence referral centres in each of its three senatorial districts

“Government is worried about the incidences of rape in our state and one of the decisions taken by the state government is the approval of gender based violence referral centres, especially for rape victims,” she said.