A twenty-three year old pregnant lady has been raped in Bangem Sub Division, Kupe Muanenguba Division, South West Region.
The incident took place recently at Hausa Quarters, Bangem. According to a neighbor to the victim pleading anonymity, the four months pregnant lady was sleeping in her room while other family members were out. At about 9:00pm, the door opened and she didn’t bother, thinking her relatives have returned home.
The neighbor said to the greatest surprise of the victim, a bearded broad man slummed upon her and warned her to remain silent else it will be more dangerous on her.
Before the lady could even shout for help, the man raped her and disappeared. Family members only returned and found their helpless sister in agony.
They immediately rushed her to the Bangem District Hospital for medical attention.
The Ultimate learnt that family members of the victim refused to report the matter to the forces of law and order for fear of victimization and protection of their sister.
Similarly in Muebah village, Nninong Clan Bangem Sub Division, a man is said to have raped a lady in the afternoon on the 5th of December 2023, to the bewilderment of all.
The Ultimate was told that when a passerby saw the act in an open space, he shouted and rescued the lady from the tight arms of the man. Angered at the situation, the man reportedly got a machete and went against those who rescued the lady.
When the Divisional Delegate of Women Empowerment and the Family, MINPROFF Kupe Muanenguba, Ngwene Cecilia Mbolle got information of these incidents, she thundered in anger and said the perpetrators of the acts must be fished out and sanctioned according to the law.
She said it is not only disgraceful but an abomination for the increasing rape cases recorded in Bangem Sub Division. The Delegate was furious that this is even happening at a time when they are commemorating 16 Days of Activism against Violence on Women and Girls in Bangem Sub Division from the 25th of November to the 10th of December 2023.
Meanwhile the Sub Divisional Delegate of MINPROFF, Bangem Sub Division, Epumangando Synthia Epede Bih disclosed that what angers them is the fact that family members of the victims refuse to report these cases to the competent authorities.
She promised not to sleep until those propagating rape and violence against women and girls in Bangem Sub Division are arrested and sanctioned.
Epumangando appealed to the population of the Sub Division to protect women and girls who are not only vulnerable but so exposed. She cautioned men to get married to satisfy their sexual desires rather than roaming the streets to rape girls.
The Sub Delegate added that they will follow up to ensure that the victims receive adequate treatment at the hospital and offer them psycho social support to overcome trauma in their lives.
By Ahone Jessy
