By Adebisi Onanuga
A group, the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), has called for justice for Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, the late 22-year- old Microbiology student of the University of Benin killed at the Redeemed Christain Church of God (RCCG) in Benin City last week.
Vera was raped and found in a pool of her blood after being raped on Wednesday. She later died in an hospital on Saturday.
WELA, in a statement by its founder and chairperson, Mrs. Fyunmi Falana, condemned the rape and murder of Vera.
The group described Vera’s rape and death as one out of the many gender-based violence, infringements and violations of the rights of women and girls in our society.
It said: ‘’This horrific display of wickedness resonates because it goes to show that the spaces (the homes, places of worship and our schools) where the women and girls should feel safest in, are now part of the slaughter zone.
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‘’A national survey on violence against children in Nigeria, conducted in 2014, found that one in four women, had experienced sexual violence in childhood with only 3.5 per cent reported cases receiving help.
It is sad that the authorities in Nigeria have failed to do enough in combating gender- based violence.
The security apparatus and agencies of states and the Federal government have failed to put adequate measures in place to deter perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
‘’It is on record that evidence at the scene of Uwa’s rape and assault were uncollected days after the crime took place.’’
The group, therefore, called for justice for Vera and other women and girls in the society that have suffered similar fate and whose rights have continued to be violated.
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