The Transition Committee Chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Emem Ibanga has raised an alarm over rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in some communities in the State.

Ibanga expressed this concern on Thursday, August 8, 2024 while speaking at a community engagement with stakeholders, traditional rulers, women and the youths of Afaha Atai, Nsit Atai LGA.

Mrs. Ibanga said she had observed with dismay, the astronomical increase in the number of cases reported daily, particularly emanating from communities in the local government area, saying the frightening statistics had compelled her to speak against the menace.

She said apart from the rising cases of Gender-based Violence in Akwa Ibom communities, this monster had lately taken a shocking turn where some parents, uncles, caregivers and even traditional rulers were reportedly caught either in the acts of defilement of minors, or raping their own children and relatives.

The Transition Committee Chairman also observed the growing rates of wife battering among some couples in the communities as another menace that must not be allowed to fester in Akwa Ibom State.

“It is so sad that Gender-based Violence has increased in so many communities in the state, especially here in Nsit Atai Local Government Area. More worrisome is the fact that we have had cases where parents defiled their own children; uncles their nieces and even traditional rulers who are supposed to be above board are also not exonerated in this shameful act.

“As we are trying to see how we can stop this inhuman act, wife battering now becomes a common sight among couples. Why have we allowed ourselves to degenerate to this level where a man would beat up his wife, and in some instances, use a matchete on her?”

While warning perpetrators of Gender-based Violence in Nsit Atai and in other communities to desist from the act, Emem Ibanga disclosed that the council would no longer fold its arms and watch shameless individuals defile and rape children without being prosecuted.

She revealed that her office was working in collaboration with Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), a pet-project of the wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, in stemming the tide of this hydra-headed monster, through sensitization and stiffer punishment to be meted out to perpetrators.

“My office is collaborating with the GIFA, the pet-project of Our Excellency, Pastor Patience Umo Eno. We will ensure that we reduce this menace that has given us a bad image to the bearest minimum. We will continue to create awareness and punish those culpable”.

The chairman, however, applauded the governor’s wife for her role in ensuring that the community engagement became a reality for the youths, especially young girls to have first -hand information on what to do in the event of harassment or any attack.

Ibanga assured the girls that she would always be on ground to fight their cause, while also calling on them to speak up against any form of violence around their communities.

Speaking, the focal person at the event, Barr. Ruth Mfon, told the participants that there were different penalties available for different Gender- based Violence offences in the state, and warned them not to faulter in anyway.

Barr. Umo therefore, directed the participants to approach Room 12 in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, or call 091261022 or 08031230382 for help when cases of rape or defilement occur.

The engagement had other antendees, including members of the National Council for Women Society (NCWS), led by Lady Affiong Okpoho.

Participants at the community engagement in Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.