In a bid to tackle the incidents of rape cases, Ondo State First Lady, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, has engaged the services of Taekwondo professionals to train young girls on the sport for self defence against rapists.
Mrs. Akeredolu said this on Friday, when she delivered a letter to the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr. Undie Adie, to express her displeasure over the rising incidents of rape in the state.
This comes in the wake of the rape of a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, by soldiers at the Ikare/Akungba checkpoint last week.
She appealed to the Police to ensure that soldier-rapists are treated as criminals by prosecuting them accordingly for violating a civilian.
According to her, soldiers are supposed to be protectors of civilians, but this incident has proved that Ondo women are not safe with anyone, hence, the need to equip them with Taekwondo skills for self-defence.
She noted that if the case of a soldier in Army uniform raping a woman was brought to the fore and perpetrators are made to face the full wrath of the law, it would serve as a deterrence to others.
Responding, the CP assured her that the case would be treated with all seriousness, adding that the Police have not been taking the issue of rape lightly.
Adie assured her that as soon as the Army Commander transferred the suspects to his command, they would be charged to court immediately.