Gang Rape: Abia State Govt Denies Rapists Are ABSU Students

Like I told you all on Saturday, we contacted one of the aides of the Governor of Abia State and they told us that they would do an investigation and get back to us. They called me the following day (yesterday) to say they have concluded their investigations. Result - The boys in the video are not students of Abia State University. They called the VC of the school, the VC told them it didn't happen in the school, end of story!

Seriously, I'm not surprised by this statement - no institution wants to be associated with something like this...so I understand...but here's the problem; in fact two issues.

Firstly; One of the girls I spoke with said these boys are from my school. I said what school? She said ABSU. A lot of students there have different versions of this video. And one of them said to me, I don't believe these boys will be caught, we came out with this evidence because we want people outside of this region to know what happens 'sometimes' in these parts. Girls are gang raped and nobody is doing anything about it. Most of the time, the victims don't say anything, and when they do, people ask them 'Wetin you sef do the boys'? Like it's your fault you were raped.

Secondly: How can the school authority say without any reservations that these boys are not their students when their faces didn't even show in the video? Can you tell who your students are by their silhouettes and voices? If there's no Law faculty in Abia State University, then I apologize, maybe I was misinformed; but if there's a law faculty in this school, then I think the school needs to thoroughly investigate this, because one of the boys said he's a 400L student of Law...names were mentioned...

So far, it doesn't look like ABSU is interested in doing a proper investigation. The VC said there's nothing in the video that indicates it's ABSU and has asked Student Union President to issue a statement exonerating the school.

Please continue...

See, here's my point - if these boys' faces had been very clear in the video, and the school authority had taken still photographs from video and passed the photos round the campus to fish out these boys, and students in the school don't recognize any of them, then ABSU can say with all authority that these students are not from their school, but that's not the case here. So saying without any reservations that these boys aren't from their school holds no water.

Well, the State Government and ABSU have concluded their investigations...now it's the turn of the police...let's see what they come up with.


And for those of you who have seen 10 minutes of this video, I hope you don't see the rest of it...I really do!

Below is the statement fro Abia State Government

Alleged Rape Case
The Abia State Government has carried out an investigation on this matter and the truth is that, the alleged video never emanated from the university.

The victim and the perpetrators are not students of Abia State University. Those associating ABSU with such barbaric visor should please desist from such. The university is safe for academic activities as known for.

Thank you

Nnaji Obed Asiegbu

S A to the Abia State Governor on E-Governance.

And here's a press release from Minister of Youth Development

Minister Condemns Rape of Young Nigerian Girl, Promises to Rehabilitate Her
The attention of the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has just been drawn to a despicable, immoral and depraved video of a young lady being raped by five men. The condemnable act allegedly took place at the Abia State University, Uturu.

In the video, the young woman was threatened, rough handled, and sexually exploited by the men, who are said to be cultists. To make matters worse, this despicable and wicked act was recorded and circulated by the alleged rapists, who blurred their own faces. This behavior has rightly caused
outrage among young Nigerians, parents and all those who have seen the video recording.

The Honourable Minister views the behavior of the perpetrators as decadent and barbaric; and believes the attitude of these men, if indeed they are young Nigerians, does not represent the character and nature of the Nigerian youth.

Mallam Abdullahi therefore calls on the University authorities and relevant security agencies to step up action to ensure that the heartless and wicked perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted. He has also promised to help rehabilitate the young victim if she would make herself available to the Ministry.

The Honourable Minister calls on Nigerian youths to remain focused and positive-minded, disclosing that his Ministry will soon begin to implement programmes that will address their concerns.

Signed
Julius Ogunro
SA Media to HMYD