TheCable

A panel has been set up to investigate the abuse of students of Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Langtang, Plateau state.

The national executives of the Old Girls Association of the Federal Government Girls College (FLOGA), Langtang, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

TheCable had done an undercover investigation that exposed how security guards employed to protect students pimp them to strangers.

One guard had given an insight into how he organises “runs” for the teenagers for a fee, and how this is a common practice.

The old students confirmed that they had received reports about the illegal act but there was no means of confirmation.

“There has been a lot of furore raised by the recent publication made by The Cable Newspapers about the pimping of students by a security guard at FGGC Langtang,” the statement read.

“The exco would like to state the following: Rumours of pimping of students at the school were rife and got to a head early last year, 2016. Several efforts made by the exco to investigate, including engaging with the former principal proved abortive as there was no substantiating evidence to prove these claims.

“Subsequently, the exco approached the leadership of USOSA with a report of the rumours and obtained their commitment to investigate. USOSA worked with the undercover journalists at The Cable and the publication is a result of their investigative efforts.

“While the investigation is inconclusive and stopped short of actually indicting anyone directly, the story has thrown up quite a number of issues too grave to be handled with levity.

“FLOGA has been in touch with the school authorities and the principal, Mrs Laura Dogo, has constituted a high powered panel to investigate these claims. Being a mother herself, she is appalled at the claims and will do all that is in her power to get to the bottom of things.”

The association also urged victims or “anyone with evidence” to speak out.

“Having conducted a walk during her AGM, which held recently, to create awareness and drum up support for victims of domestic violence and child rape, the exco are aghast that such an issue should even come up in the first place,” the statement read.

, therefore, re will continue to work with the authorities and push for far-reaching investigations into this matter. If the claims are substantiated and any person or groups of persons are found culpable, then the full force of the law must be brought down upon them.

“In keeping with our drive to #breakthesilence, FLOGA wishes to commend those amongst us who have come forward to share their experience. We do not condemn anyone. In fact, we welcome others to speak up if indeed they have had a first-hand experience of sexual harassment while in school.

“Anyone with concrete evidence of pimping or any such activity in the school should please come forward. Each case will be treated with the strictest confidence and identities of victims protected.

“The exco would, however, crave the indulgence of everyone to refrain from sensationalising the issue.

“Other issues thrown up by the publication including the state of infrastructure at the school and security will be addressed in a separate release.”