...Commends Enugu First Lady’s Relentless Advocacy for Protection of Women and Children
The wife of the Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Council and Enugu State ALGON Chairperson, Mrs. Rita Edeh, has issued a strong and emotionally charged condemnation of the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl in Mburubu community, Nkanu East Local Government Area, describing the incident as heartbreaking, inhuman, and an assault on the conscience of society.
Mrs. Edeh spoke against the backdrop of the arraignment of a 42-year-old suspect, Edwin Eze, by the Enugu State Police Command, an action she said sends a clear message that Enugu State will not tolerate violence against children or women under any guise.
Expressing deep pain and outrage, Mrs. Edeh said the incident represents a grave betrayal of trust and humanity, stressing that no child should ever be subjected to such trauma, especially by adults who ought to be protectors.
“What happened to this innocent 13-year-old girl is not just a crime; it is a deep wound on our collective conscience. It is painful, unacceptable, and completely against our values as a people. No society that claims to be civilized can look away when its children are violated,” she said.
She commended the Enugu State Government, under the leadership of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for its swift, firm, and decisive response, particularly the immediate prosecution of the suspect and the government’s renewed vow to intensify its crackdown on child molesters and perpetrators of gender-based violence.
According to her, the prompt arraignment of the accused and his remand at the Enugu Correctional Centre demonstrate that the Mbah administration’s zero tolerance for child abuse and violence against women is not mere rhetoric but a policy backed by action.
“The speed and seriousness with which the Enugu State Government and the Police handled this case reassure parents and communities that justice will not be delayed or denied. This administration has shown that it stands firmly with victims, not perpetrators,” Mrs. Edeh stated.
The ALGON Chairperson also applauded the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, for her unequivocal stance that no child molester in the state would go unpunished, noting that such leadership strengthens public confidence in the system.
In a special tribute, Mrs. Edeh hailed the Wife of the Enugu State Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, for her relentless advocacy for the protection of women and children, as well as her consistent interventions in cases of abuse and injustice across the state.
“Her Excellency, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, has become a strong voice for the voiceless. Her passion for safeguarding women and children, her advocacy against harmful practices, and her visible compassion continue to inspire hope for victims and survivors across Enugu State,” she said.
Mrs. Edeh further called on parents, traditional institutions, community leaders, and residents of Nkanu East and beyond to remain vigilant, speak up against abuse, and protect children from predators hiding within communities.
She assured that as wife of the Nkanu East Council Chairman and as State ALGON Chairperson, she would continue to support initiatives that promote child protection, community awareness, and justice for victims, while working closely with government agencies to ensure safer communities.
The case, which has been adjourned to February 12, 2026, remains under close watch, with the state government reaffirming its commitment to seeing it pursued to its logical conclusion in line with the Enugu State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2019.
Mrs. Edeh concluded by emphasizing that justice for one child is justice for all, warning that Enugu State will no longer be a safe haven for those who prey on the innocent.
