The Executive Director, Women Aid Collective (WACO) Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, has condemned alleged gang rape of a 13-year-old girl by nomadic Herders in Aku community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State and murder of one Mr. Emma Nnadi, who tried to rescue her.
Ezeilo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and six-time United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking Persons in Africa, appealed to the National Assembly (NASS) to speed up the legislation against open grazing in the country.
The former Dean, Faculty of Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, made the appeal in reaction to the gruesome murder of Nnadi while trying to save the 13-year-old girl from the gang rape by the herders last week.
The law professor said it should be an open wound to the conscience of those still opposed to ending open grazing that has gone on in Nigeria for far too long.
”Where has our humanity gone? What happened to our conscience? Why does this impunity persist? If they’re not terrorists who else is?
“Why can’t we find solutions to this ongoing problem? These nomadic herders continue to commit serious crimes against humanity without accountability.
“This has led to massive loss of lives, insecurity and food crises, as farmers can no longer work and walk peacefully in their communities.
“Support the bill to end open grazing,” she said, adding “the time is now. May those who have lost their lives not die in vain. Emma Nnadi was a hero, and may his death not be in vain.
“To the child-victim, we will work to ensure you receive the help, support, and justice needed to heal and survive this dreadful experience.
“Again, support the National Assembly’s current initiative to end such mayhem and bring back peace to farming communities and beyond.”
