Underreporting, Poor Funding fueling soaring rape cases in Benue – Stakeholders

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Stakeholders in Benue State have warned that rape and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) are rising due to underreporting and poor funding which was slowing down the fight against the scourge.

They urged survivors and their relatives to break the silence and report cases promptly to authorities to ensure justice for them and punishment for perpetrators.

This concern was raised in Makurdi during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Benue State Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) with support from ActionAid Nigeria under the “Gap GBV Project.”

The meeting drew over 22 organisations, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Justice, shelter homes, Ministry of Health, civil society groups, and community representatives.

State Coordinator of SARC, Linda Dirisu, said the meeting was to assess progress in tackling GBV, identify gaps, and strengthen partnerships.

“Sexual violence in Benue State is on a high rise. Cases are more common in rural areas, particularly among adolescent girls, infants, and even boys. But underreporting due to stigma makes it hard to get timely reports and deliver help,” she said.

Dirisu added that despite some successes recorded, the centre and its partners face severe operational challenges.

“We do not expect survivors to pay for services; they are already traumatized. But we need resources for medical care, HIV and infection tests, counselling, legal support, and shelter.

“The police lack logistics to visit crime scenes, and the Ministry of Justice struggles with transport to court. The centre urgently needs a dedicated budget line,” she stressed.

Director General of the Benue International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Mr. Leo- Angelo Viashima, acknowledged the high rate of GBV but noted that Governor Hyacinth Alia had strengthened SARC to ensure survivors get justice.

Chairperson of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Benue, Hajiya Hauwa Isah, recounted disturbing incidents in Makurdi where fathers impregnated their daughters.

“Recently, a father impregnated his daughter in my area and the matter was reported to the police. Last week, another father did the same but escaped arrest,” she said, expressing hope that SARC’s work would help curb such crimes.

Legal Officer for the GBV project, Barrister Beatrice Kandeor, said several cases had been won in court, with others still pending. She called on victims and witnesses to speak up so perpetrators can be brought to justice.

The Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Makurdi, Mrs. Gloria Bai, pledged stronger collaboration with other agencies to fight GBV, especially the sexual exploitation of minors.

The meeting also discussed engaging traditional and religious leaders at the grassroots and linking primary health care centres with gender desk officers and the police in local government areas to improve reporting and response.