Vera Uwaila Omozuwa was found on May 27, bathed in her blood and half undressed, in an evangelical church in Benin City, Nigeria. The young woman died of her injuries a few days later. The cause of death: rape.
"Say no to rape" and "Justice for Uwa". The slogans were shouted by protesters outside the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City in southwestern Nigeria. This rally follows the rape and murder of a 22-year-old microbiology student, Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, on May 27, inside a church where she regularly visited.
As a member of the choir, the student held the keys and used to settle there to revise her lessons, taking advantage of the closure of places of worship due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"When the church's night watchman took office shortly after 7:00 p.m., he found her on the floor in the half-naked church, bathed in a pool of blood. Parents and others were alerted and taken to Benin City University Hospital, where an attempt was made to save her. Unfortunately, she passed away on Saturday evening. ”, Parish spokesperson explained to Nigerian news site Pulse.
“Dressed in black and holding up signs, the protesters said that the increasing number of cases of rape and violence against women, and the lukewarm attitude of the police to nip them in the bud, call for a protest serious beyond simple condemnation in the comfort of homes and offices ”, can we read in The Guardian.
Since the announcement of the death, the country's media and social networks have been broadcasting the hashtag #JusticeForUwa. This new drama is sadly common in Nigeria, and deep anger across the country has mounted. Nigerian artists such as Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy have left messages denouncing "the culture of rape and the impunity that results from it."
"In Nigeria, people believe they can always get away with bribing the police so much that potential victims are worried about going to court, because ultimately, justice will not be served or it will be delayed ", explains Betty Abah, head of an NGO from Lagos to the Sahara reporters website.
For Amnesty International, "the increase in rape cases in Nigeria is the result of the inability of law enforcement to ensure that rapists are brought to justice. We are deeply concerned that rapists in Nigeria invariably escape punishment. "
A few days after Vera Uwaila Omozuwa's tragedy in the northwest of the country, twelve men were arrested and charged with repeatedly raping a twelve-year-old girl over a two-month period, reports the BBC. And in April, 18-year-old Jennifer was raped by five individuals in Narayi, Kaduna State. She had been trapped on Facebook by her attackers.
Real inquiries requested
According to The Guardian, deputy police commissioner Ayoola Ajala, who received the protesters, assured that investigations had been opened and that arrests had already been made in connection with the murder of Uwa. He also denied allegations that the police station where the incident was reported to have refused to investigate the incident due to lack of funds.
The Niger Delta Students Union (NDSUG) condemned the rape and brutal murder of Vera Uwaila Omozuwa. NDSUG Senate President Jimmy Success called in a statement to Port Harcourt, school officials and security agencies to quickly investigate the tragedy and bring the perpetrators to justice.
"On behalf of the union leaders and the student community, I would like to offer my condolences to the family of the deceased and request the indulgence of the government of the student union of the University of Benin and the school administration to reduce and stem these acts of violence against young girls and students in general ", did he declare.
The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, reacted to this case: “I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Uwaila Omozuwa. I expect the Nigerian police to promptly and diligently investigate this matter and ensure that all those responsible for this barbaric act are brought to justice, ”he wrote in a tweet dated Tuesday June 2.