ANGO angry over NSCDC’s delay to prosecute man who molested 11 boys in Gombe
…..commends Police for rescuing lady chained for six years by her father
By Chima Azubuike
The Gombe State Chairman, Association of Non-governmental organisations Ibrahim Yusuf, has lamented delay by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to prosecute Usman Mohammed Bello, who allegedly molested 11 boys in Liji community, Yalmatu Deba Local Government Area.
Yusuf alleged that despite parading the suspect, the NSCDC failed to prosecute him, adding that through the Corps’ collaboration the association alongside other stakeholders provided medical services to the victims.
According to him, Bello allegedly had anal penetration of the boys, adding that after parading no attempt by authorities to prosecute them.
He said, “On homosexual allegations against one man who is residing at Liji community under Yalmatu Deba, where he was accused of molesting and having anal penetration with younger boys between 11-16 years and about 12 of them they were paraded by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant about four to five months ago.
“When we saw the video clip we swung into action and approached the NSCDC and to some extent we worked with them to the level of getting the children from their parents in their community and took them about 11 of them were examined and the result shared with the NSCDC, up till now they have not done anything, we are not satisfied with the way they are handling this matter.”
While lamenting the failure of NSCDC to prosecute the accused, Yusuf said they were unsatisfied with the handling of the case especially as Gombe has recently domesticated Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.
“We even approached the state Commandant, where he didn’t give me satisfactory answer I saw his reaction when he was assigning his officers on the need to do the needful to refer the matter to court. The way NSCDC is handing the matter we are not satisfied, is not like they have not done anything but agreeing to work with us as non-state actors. we spent three five days to get consent of their parents to release their children in order to take them to Specialist Hospital is something to commend but delaying the matter for us is something that we are not okay with, so that we can work harmoniously to savage the situation.
“Since the state has passed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act we want to see proactive measures from all stakeholders so that the law will state punishing the culprit not for us to pass the law and keep it in the cupboard we won’t tolerate that,” he added.
When contacted NSCDC’s Public Relations Officer, Buhari Sa’ad, told our correspondent that the suspect had been charged to court for possible prosecution.
He said, “He was charged at the Chief Magistrate Court kwadon, with case number CMC /KW/CR/10/2023.”
Reacting to Sa’ad’s claims, Yusuf added, “The argument is not court but the jurisdiction of the court because kwadon is not Chief but just Magistrate.”
Meanwhile, ANGO Chairman, Yusuf has commended Gombe State Police command especially the Commissioner, Etim Oqua, for rescuing a lady whose father kept in bondage for six years in Akko Local Government Area.
Narrating the lady’s ordeal Yusuf said she was caged, kept and chained by her father for the period of time.
“When we heard the story from Ministry of Women Affairs, who are custodians of social welfare in the state, we collaborated together with the Commissioner of Police who on hearing this CP Etim Oqua, responded immediately by assigning a team that we should go to the community and rescue the chained lady,” Yusuf said.
The ANGO boss disclosed that the lady was adequately provided medical support, adding “We want to commend the Commissioner of Police on that and his team, immediately we came back with the lady he assigned his Deputy in charge of Criminal Investigation to ahead with the investigation and to also take care of the lady by taking her to the hospital to receive medical attention that she needs.”
Kudos to the vibrant and active ANGO body for the prompt action, an aggressive approach should be put in place to address such issues otherwise the much needed laws will be swept under the carpet.
We are in total support in that direction.
Well done Chairman.