Pedophiles to Be Executed & Rapists Surgically Castrated Under New Laws in Nigeria
Governor of Nigerian state of Kaduna signs tough new penalties into law
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Following a recent surge in sex crimes, a state in Nigeria has introduced tough new laws to combat the epidemic of sexual abuse against women and children, according to reports.
As part of a major crackdown on abuse, the Nigerian state of Kaduna has passed new laws to ramp up the penalties for pedophiles and rapists.
Under the new laws, those convicted of sexually abusing children will face the death penalty, while rapists will be surgically castrated.
Kaduna's Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai has signed the new legislation into law, meaning anyone caught raping a child under age 14 will face execution.
While medical castration - using drugs or other reversible methods - isn't uncommon for sex offenders in other states, Kaduna has opted to permanently remove the genitals of those convicted of rape through surgery.
Gov. el-Rufai acknowledges that the penalties may appear "drastic," but insists they are necessary to deter would-be abusers and protect vulnerable citizens.
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It follows public anger over a recent increase of rapes amid COVID-19 restrictions.
The reaction prompted the nation's state governors to declare a state of emergency.
The "drastic penalties are required to help further protect children from a serious crime," el-Rufai said in a statement.
Reported cases of rape in Nigeria have risen dramatically during recent months.
The spike has been linked to lockdowns and coronavirus restrictions.
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Women's groups have called for tougher action against rapists, including the death penalty.
Kaduna state's new law is the strictest against rape in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country.
The state's newly amended penal code also says a person convicted of raping someone over age 14 will face life imprisonment.
The previous law carried a maximum penalty of 21 years' imprisonment for the rape of an adult and life imprisonment for the rape of a child.
A woman convicted of rape of a child under 14 faces the removal of her fallopian tubes.
