From Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
The traditional emirates of Kaltungo and Billiri in Gombe State have renewed their call for tougher laws and stiffer punishment for perpetrators of rape and abuse against women and children, describing such acts as a serious threat to the safety and dignity of society.
The call was made during an advocacy and sensitisation visit organised by the Gombe State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, as part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.
Speaking at his palace, the Mai Kaltungo, Engineer Saleh Muhammad Umar, declared that cases of sexual abuse, especially involving children, would not be tolerated in his domain.
He warned families and community members against protecting offenders and recalled how a perpetrator was once banished from the community as a strong warning to others.
The monarch also urged the state legislature to review existing laws that prescribe a 14-year jail term for rape, saying the punishment was too lenient and insufficient to deter potential offenders.
He further cautioned parents against excessive beating of children, stressing that proper guidance and moral education were more effective tools for discipline.
In his remarks, the Mai Tangale of Billiri, Danladi Iliyasu, pledged the full support of traditional institutions in enforcing laws against sexual violence, while calling on lawmakers to introduce more severe penalties to serve as deterrence and protect vulnerable members of society.
Addressing the gathering, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Asma’u Muhammad Iganus, said the campaign was aimed at breaking the culture of silence surrounding sexual and gender-based violence.
She explained that the Ministry was strengthening community-level structures by setting up monitoring and response committees at local government and ward levels to ensure that reported cases are properly documented, investigated and prosecuted.
She added that the government is working closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies and civil society organisations to promote awareness of the law, protect survivors and ensure justice is served without delay.
According to her, copies of the law were formally presented to the traditional institutions to guide them in handling cases and supporting lawful prosecution.
Members of the State House of Assembly, including the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Gabriel Galadima, and the Majority Leader, Yerima Ladan Gaule, assured the gathering that the legislature was committed to reviewing relevant legal provisions to make punishments more stringent and serve as a strong warning to offenders