Lafia Emirate Council in Nasarawa State has placed a ban on street hawking by children, to check persistent cases of rape in the area.
Alhaji Mustapha Agwai I, Emir of Lafia, announced the ban at a meeting with district heads and other stakeholders on Tuesday in Lafia.
The Emir, who spoke through Yahaya Bello, his Special Assistant on Information and Publicity, explained that the ban was necessary given the increasing rates of rape involving minors in the emirate.
He decried the nonchalant attitude of parents in monitoring their children, which had encouraged various forms of abuses against the children.
“It is quite worrisome to note that most of the rape victims in the emirate in recent time are children ranging between the ages of four and ten, with some of the perpetrators as old as 70 years,” Agwai said.
He maintained that the traditional institution as the custodian of societal norms and values had a role to play in checking all forms of abuses against children including rape.
The emir, therefore directed all district and village heads to ensure that parents adhere strictly to the ban.
He said the emirate council would liaise with security agencies to enforce the ban.
Agwai warned members of the public against violating the order as such violation would attract appropriate sanction.
NAN
Photo: Nairaland
Alhaji Mustapha Agwai I, Emir of Lafia, announced the ban at a meeting with district heads and other stakeholders on Tuesday in Lafia.
The Emir, who spoke through Yahaya Bello, his Special Assistant on Information and Publicity, explained that the ban was necessary given the increasing rates of rape involving minors in the emirate.
He decried the nonchalant attitude of parents in monitoring their children, which had encouraged various forms of abuses against the children.
“It is quite worrisome to note that most of the rape victims in the emirate in recent time are children ranging between the ages of four and ten, with some of the perpetrators as old as 70 years,” Agwai said.
He maintained that the traditional institution as the custodian of societal norms and values had a role to play in checking all forms of abuses against children including rape.
The emir, therefore directed all district and village heads to ensure that parents adhere strictly to the ban.
He said the emirate council would liaise with security agencies to enforce the ban.
Agwai warned members of the public against violating the order as such violation would attract appropriate sanction.
NAN
Photo: Nairaland
