TUC decries sexual abuse at IDP camps

Advertisements
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has criticized sexual abuse, rape and exploitation of women and girls living in seven Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital allegedly by camp leaders, vigilante groups, policemen, and soldiers.
 According to TUC, it is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting the much-needed support since they escaped from the hands of Boko Haram, “but worse that the security operatives who should protect them now take advantage of them and even infect them with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases”.
  TUC described the development as “peak of wickedness for men to use positions of authority to exploit the weak. They deny the IDPs regular supplies of food, clothing, medicine, and other essentials, just to compound their vulnerability and make them want to do anything to live”.
  In a statement TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Acting Secretary General, Comrade (Barr) Simeso Amachree said: “ One wonders why everything about our country is now all about rape: the politicians rape our treasury, the judges rape justice while the security operatives rape victims of war! This is disgraceful and it portrays our officers and the country in a very bad light before the international community. 
  “The country is facing a series of interconnected economic and humanitarian crises which, if not addressed, may further worsen under-development and it associated challenges. We charge the federal government, the army and police authorities to investigate and bring to book perpetrators of these dastardly acts. Those diverting the food meant for the IDPs should also be punished for their irresponsibility”.
Advertisements