Ondo Councillor Beaten, Stripped Naked By Political Thugs

Violence against women comes in various forms. But nothing appears to be more cruel and inhumane than stripping a woman naked in public. These days, no matter the offence committed by a woman, stripping her naked is no longer an option.

A female councillor, Hon. (Mrs) Idowu Aderoyin was stopped naked political thugs allegedly loyal to a notable All Progressives Congress Chieftain in Akure North local government for disobeying his order in voting the candidate of an opposition party during the Presidential/ National Assembly elections in Ondo State.

The thugs, namely Gabriel Olomi( Fela), Tosin Owonifari, Wale Oluwadare, Sunday Edegba, Baraka, and Tunde Baraka beat the female councilor to coma.

The men were later apprehended by men of the Ondo State Police Command. However, two others namely Sunday Edegba, Baraka are still at large.

The case has been charged to court at the Akure Magistrate Court. Justice Lebi while giving his judgment granted them bail with stringent conditions. However they were remanded at the Correctional Center in Olokuta, Akure , after failing to meet their bail conditions.

Mrs Aderoyin said she hasn’t been feeling as a result of the beating by the thugs.

“Women’s right to live free from violence is upheld by international agreements such as the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and the 1993 UN declaration on the elimination of violence against women.”

Hon. Idowu Aderoyin called on Civil Society Organisations (CSO), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the media to hold the police accountable and ensure that women and girls are protected and that perpetrators of violence against women face the consequences of their actions. “The issue of violence against women is a societal malady that requires all stakeholders to condemn.”

“Even suspects that had been arrested and detained in police custody cannot be stripped naked”

Groups in the state have condemned the act and called for a thorough investigation into the matter, they also called for the arrest of those behind it no matter how highly placed.