Men convicted of rape will be castrated in Nigeria under new law
A Nigerian state has passed a law that will see male rapists being castrated while male child rapists will be executed. The law came to effect last week as the state seek to deal decisively with rapists that have ravaged the communities.
Kaduna state, the 18th state of Federal Republic of Nigeria located in the northwest zone of the country, led by Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai approved the new law that will see fatal measures being taken against rapists and child abusers.
Surgical castration will be performed on males convicted off rape, while a woman will see her fallopian tubes removed if convicted of sexually abusing a minor.
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Castration and removal of fallopian tubes is not the only punishment that was passed, men can also receive a death sentence by hanging for raping a minor below the age of 14, and life sentences for raping an adult.
“These drastic penalties are required to help further protect children from a serious crime,” said Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai.
Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai signed the legislation Wednesday after it gained parliament approval following the tabling of the proposals.
The region’s laws previously carried up to 21 years in prison for raping an adult and a life sentence could be handed for raping a minor.
Sexual violence and rape spiked rapidly in the northwest zone of Nigeria during the Covid-19 enforced lockdown and the people felt drastic measures had to be taken to deal with such crimes once and for all according to the New York Times.
Nigeria experienced a surge in sexual violence and abuse during period January to May 2020, reporting around 800 cases, prompting women’s rights organisations to call for heavier sentences to protect women in Africa’s most populous country.
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Men convicted of rape will be castrated in Nigeria under new law