I Can't Pardon You: Bauchi Gov Warns Offenders of Sexual and Gender Based Violence

- Bauchi will be at the forefront in fighting the menace

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State on Tuesday evening sounded a strong warning to the offenders of sexual and gender based violence in the state as anyone found guilty would be punished accordingly. 

The governor gave the warning when members of the Bauchi State Action Committee on Sexual and Gender Based Violence paid him an advocacy visit led by the State First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Bauchi. 

Governor Bala Mohammed said to serve as a deterrent to others, his administration will not pardon any offender of sexual and gender based violence and will be subjected to laws of the land in accordance with the Violence Against Persons Prohibition law. 

He described the formation of the committee as timely as it will go a long way in sensitizing communities on the dangers associated with sexual and gender based violence. 

"I have listened with a lot of interest, the address of my dear wife on very important issues of violence against women, violence against the vulnerable. I think this is a very good initiative."

"First, I must once again thank the State House of Assembly for coming up with VAPP law. This has become a scourge in Nigeria not only in Bauchi."

The governor pointed out that, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition law has set all that needs to be done to protect victims of sexual gender based violence.

"I apologise to our women folks for the recent pardon extended unknowingly to one of the rapists in Bauchi. We will never pardon any one found guilty of this grievous offense".

"I am happy with the advocacy set up by my dear wife because I believe that is the only way to go. We will do everything possible to protect our women folks and children. Bauchi will be at the front banner in fighting the menace."

Governor Bala Mohammed said the state government will institutionalise the activities of the committee so as to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

In a key note adrress, State First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, advocated for the establishment of a mobile court to ensure speedy trial of offenders of sexual and gender based violence and strengthen the operational capacity of the committee.

The first lady who is the patron of the committee, appealed to the state government to do more by coming up with new strategy of curbing the menace in the state. 

"Your Excellency, I inaugurated the 21 members of the committee in order to educate members of the public on what Sexual and Gender Based Violence is all about for us to minimize the cases in our society."

Hajiya Aisha Mohammed said the visit is to intimate the governor on the activities of the committee with a view to soliciting for his support in order to achieve the desired objectives. 

She told the governor that increase in the number of sexual and gender based violence in the society necessitated the formation of the committee as part of her concern for the plight of women and children. 

Also speaking, the Chairperson of the group, Mrs. Esther Ahmed, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for supporting the first lady to carry out a number of humanitarian activities in the state.