Bonny Residents Cry Out Over Rape Cases

Residents of Bonny communities in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised  alarm over increase in rape cases and other social vices being perpetrated in the area.

The chairman, National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), Mr Harold Benstowe disclosed this during an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt at the Weekend. Mr Benstowe stated that the incident occured on a daily bases with an average of five per day.

According to him, there is no day that passes without a record of a rape case in Bonny, noting that the sourge has become a normal life style in the area.

He attributed the causes of the incident to the prevailing existence of cult groups in the area as well as the numerous companies operating in the area.

The union leader states that when the rape incidents occurred in the area, the matters were not reported to the police station but rather to the chiefs’ council.

“When this happens, the offenders are not punished, rather are set free, the victims continue to suffer from the stigma.

He called for dissolution of all existing community cults in the area and urged the police to enforce the arrest of offenders of such inhuman act in the areas, adding that such acts are to be treated as capital punishment.

The labour leader, however, commended the effort of the new Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area for his efforts in contending with the wave of crime in the area.

Barinadaa Nburadum