Prof. Ezeilo condemns herders’ gang rape of 13-year-old, killing of man who tried to rescue victim; Urges end to open grazing

Professor Joy Ezeilo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking of Persons in Africa, has vehemently condemned the recent gang rape of a 13-year-old in the Aku community of Enugu state and the killing of Mr. Emma Nnadi, who tried to rescue the victim.

Prof. Ezeilo, an activist and former Commissioner for Gender and Social Development in Enugu State, said the actions of the herders is “evil and should be an open wound to the conscience of those still opposed to ending this madness of open grazing that has gone on in Nigeria for far too long.”

She called for mass support for the Bill to end open grazing, insisting that the activities of the nomadic herders who “continue to commit serious crimes against humanity without accountability… has led to massive loss of lives, insecurity and food crises, as farmers can no longer work and walk peacefully in their communities.”

The time to end open grazing, she stressed, is now, expressing the hope that those who have lost their lives would not have died in vain, and that those who have been violated would get help and justice.

“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,” Prof. Ezeilo said, asking rhetorically: “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?”

The internationally acclaimed academic and gender activist, again, urged all to “support the National Assembly’s current initiative to end such mayhem and bring back peace to farming communities and beyond.”