An Analysis of Rape in Wadata Community, Makurdi -By Hassan Idris

Anyone who knows the history of Wadata knows that it’s a place where cultural and religious ethics are held with higher esteem. Religious dogmatism and cultural sentimentality irrespective of religious and cultural affinities are minimal; cultural relativism and oneness are what we call for and are taught.  Solidarity is the ethics of Wadatans. Shunning of rascalities and immoral acts are taught to all Wadatans from childhood. Cases of rape and sexual harassment are minimal. Today, there have been several cases of rape, social misconduct, and sexual harassment thriving in every nook and cranny of Wadata Community, Makurdi.  We’ve lost it to shenanigans and scrupulous elements in the society. We’ve lacked the control of our youths and adults; misplacement of priorities have taken heels. We no longer hold firm that title we were known for.

However, in the recent past months, they’ve been cases of rape, sexual harassment, and assault in Wadata community, Makurdi.  Our children ( both males and females) are now prone to rape and many social vices.

Well, rape is a heinous act and criminal offense both in the Criminal law and Penal code. It’s seen from the Criminal law as a felony. It’s also a felony in Criminology. There’s no excuse for raping anybody( felony). There are stipulated punishments for those who committed a felony (rapists, murderers, etc).

The offense of rape is the unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, without her consent or with her consent, if the consent is obtained by force or by means of threats or intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act, or in the case of a married woman, by personating her husband. It may be stated differently by saying that rape, means forcible sexual intercourse with a girl or woman without her giving her consent to it. ( PETER-ODILI, J.C.A)

The fact is that there’s no justification for rape but there could be warranting factors. Today, you see parents in Wadata community leaving their children to hawk from morning to evening without concern. You see parents with “I don’t care attitudes here and there”, ladies with indecent dressings; parties every here and there. At night, you see lovers in dark places together till 11 pm discussing.  There are no regulations anymore. What should a lady be doing outside 11 pm at night? What should a lady be hawking till 10 pm at night?

Recently, there has been a case where a guy and a lady were arrested 12 am in the morning discussing outside when there had been several laws enacted, prohibiting staying out late at night.  In addendum, there have been several cases of rape and lesbianism in Wadata community.  Some of these rape cases are precipitated by us. Parents lack control over their children; your daughter is coming home 11 pm at night and you’re silent and smiling. Your son is coming home at night, you’re smiling and silent. We must all stand up to exorcise this rape, sexual harassment, and lesbianism in Wadata community. It’s all our duty.

Rape is a crime against humanity.  No man will be gladdened and happy seeing his father, mother, sister, and daughter being raped. Women are our mothers and we love them very much. Same to a woman too, she wouldn’t be gladdened seeing her husband or son being raped. Men are our fathers and we love them very much. But, the truth is that in the house of a white sheep there’s always a black sheep. To the rapist, rape is a minute pleasure but lifetime destruction to the victims. How do these beasts in human clothing enjoy the pleasure of having carnal knowledge of a woman without her consent, or with forced consent?

Anyone who rapes another man’s daughter or son, surely his daughter or granddaughter or grandson shall be raped too. What goes around comes around. The law of nature. Arise Wadatans and say no to rape, sexual harassment, and lesbianism!

© Hassan Idris.
Benue, Nigeria.

idrishassan035@gmail.com.