The Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Mr Murtala Mani, has warned Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the state against settling rape cases and defilement of underage girls.
Represented by the command’s Spokesperson, Cordellia Nwawe at a news conference in Sokoto on Tuesday, Mani said rape and defilement of underage girls were crimes against the state.
He said such cases could only be resolved in a competent court.
He added that “no traditional institution or community has authority to resolve such cases
in the country.”
The commissioner noted that rape and defilement of minors were on the increase because such cases were not being reported to the appropriate authorities.
According to him, public awareness and community surveillance measures are being initiated by the command to ensure that people are adequately educated on the consequences of such offences.
Mani described rape and defilement of minors as human abuse and degradation of personality which attract punishment.
The commissioner warned that any officer found compounding such cases would surely face the law.
He added that rape and defilement of minors were offences different from road traffic accidents or civil disputes and should be treated seriously. (NAN)
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