December 08, (THEWILL) – A group called the Coalition of Gender-Based Violence Responders has staged a solemn protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, the nation’s capital, demanding a probe into the death of Keren-Happuch Akpagher.
The SS1 one boarding student of Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja died in June 2021 of alleged rape complications.
The group gathered early on Wednesday morning at the Unity Fountain clad in black outfits, displaying placards with various inscriptions.
They demanded justice for the deceased and called on the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen; Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu; and Minister of the FCT Mohammed Musa Bello to aid prompt delivery of justice.
The coalition alleged that there is a conspiracy of silence, a situation they say if not broken could embolden rapists in the society.
The mother of the late teenage girl, Mrs Vivien Akpagher who was also at the protest said the Gender Department of the Police Force Headquarters is now handling the investigations, after they wrote a petition against the FCT command, for alleged complicity.
She also alleged that late Keren was raped while she was still in the custody of her school, Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja.
She said the 14-year old was not healthy when she picked her up two days earlier and when she was rushed to the hospital a day after she came home, a sperm-filled condom was found in Keren which led to an infection and eventually killed her.
“Three (3) days after I took away my daughter, she died in a hospital in Abuja on the 22nd day of June 2021.
“But, before Keren-Happuch’s death, the hospital discovered that she had been raped, condom left in her vagina, which had caused an infection that resulted to sepsis and trauma that led to her demise,” she said.
The House of Representatives earlier on Wednesday waded into the matter and ordered an investigation after a member moved a motion on the floor of the House.
The lawmakers during the plenary said the matter needs to be properly handled by the police. They mandated the House Committees on Education, Youth Development, and Women Affairs and Social Development to follow up with the investigation.
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