The Nigerian House of Representatives has declared a state of emergency on rape following the spate of sexual abuse in the country.
The House also resolved that all members should dress in black at the next sitting, in protest against the death of Uwa Omozuwa, Tina Ezekwe and other victims of rape and violence against women and girls in the country.
The Green Chamber further called on the executive arm of government to launch a more effective campaign against the menace.
These resolutions were taken by the house at plenary on Thursday, following a motion of urgent national importance moved by Hon Agunsoye.
Citing the brutal rape cases of Uwa Omozuwa, in Benin City and the gang rape of a 12 year old minor by 11 men in Jigawa State, Hon Agunsoye called for a better government policy and legislative framework to stem the rising violence.
He said weak institutions, poor enforcement, poverty and unacceptable social practices contribute to the ugly increase in violence against Nigerian women and girls.
The lawmaker also expressed concern about rising cases of Police brutality, extra judicial killings, harassment, unlawful detention, and extortion.
The house however urged government to provide testing kits for rape victims at all primary health centres and tasked the judiciary to dispense rape cases speedily.
It also mandated NATIP to publish names and pictures of convicted rapists as it urged the Inspector General of Police to immediately carry out investigations into the cases of Uwa Omozuwa, Tina Ezekwe, the reported rape case of a minor in Jigawa State, as well as all other recorded cases of violence against women with the aim of bringing the criminals to justice.
The legislators also protested against the death of George Floyd and all victims of racial discrimination and police brutality in the United States of America and the world at large.